What one quality or characteristic do you most need to see in your boss?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:11:11 -0400

What one quality or characteristic do you most need to see in your boss?

I'd have to go with Respect, If I had to write one in, I'd select Loyalty what's yours?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:15:34 -0400

Those are ALL great characteristics.... Man, I am torn between respect and integrity. But with Respect, you must give it to receive it. Torn here.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Apr 28 at 2015 5:16 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:16:07 -0400

Respect. Too many 'leaders' don't remember that respect goes both ways.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:17:51 -0400

My biggest complaint is the boss who wants to please his boss to the exclusion of process, procedure, and regulation. I've often sought my own empowerment by allowing them to use me as the "bad guy' with the rule book.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:19 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:19:04 -0400

I want to be able to believe what the boss tells me. I'd sooner have honest bad news that dishonest praise.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Apr 28 at 2015 5:21 PM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:21:16 -0400

most important quality that I've seen disappear throughout the last 30 years is NCOs and officers need to get their authority back. what I'm talking about is the senior leadership is scared to challenge other leadership, or going along. NCOs and officers need to learn how to tactfully and technically tell politicians and other senior leaders who are not taking care of soldiers to go and you know what to themselves.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 28 at 2015 5:21 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:21:54 -0400

Integrity. Hands down. Someone with enough integrity does the rest.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:22:29 -0400

I chose respect, but I want to add Integrity.

I have had the unpleasurable experience of having a boss(es) that had ZERO integrity & the culture spread throughout the department.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Apr 28 at 2015 5:23 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:23:30 -0400

I chose Empowers, but I would also add Intelligence/Competence.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:25 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:25:57 -0400

Had a job like that. I hated going to work everyday.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 28 at 2015 5:28 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:28:44 -0400

1. Competence
2. Sets the example
3. Empowers subordinates/moderates supervision.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:29:46 -0400

If the person doesn't hold themselves accountable for their own responsibilities, they are useless as a leader. Integrity is my vote.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 5:31 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:31:47 -0400

Empowers their people without micromanaging.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 28 at 2015 5:36 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:36:59 -0400

Integrity, Respect, Empowers. Listen & Empathy are subsets of Respect in my opinion.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 28 at 2015 5:43 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:43:54 -0400

Truthfully... I want to see ALL these qualities in a Leader although Integrity is arguably the most important.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 28 at 2015 5:48 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 17:48:25 -0400

Ability to show respect for those that work for him/her.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 28 at 2015 6:10 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:10:03 -0400

Integrity! If they have that, they generally have the others.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 6:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:13:20 -0400

Of course respect and integrity but also being candid. Being able to tell Soldiers what the "real" issues are and not tap dance or "shot gun" blast is a quality I want in my leaders. If I made a mistake, be honest and tell me, don't sugar coat it or have a pointless huddle for everyone else to talk about it, just be candid and tell me!!

Response by SPC Carl K. made Apr 28 at 2015 6:36 PM

SPC Carl K. — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:36:24 -0400

I would also add the willingness to lead from the front and getting their hands dirty with the workers to show support as well. I do it with my employees. It isn't hard and instills respect, demonstrates integrity, and creates loyalty. You can do this without being a micro-manager as well.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Apr 28 at 2015 6:36 PM

SGT James Elphick — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:36:09 -0400

I choose empowers, I cannot stand micro-managers or a boss who does not trust in my ability.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 28 at 2015 6:45 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:45:39 -0400

A boss who gives you a rope to either swing like a monkey or hang yourself. I don't want a boss constantly trying to hang me.

Response by LCDR Steve Didio made Apr 28 at 2015 6:49 PM

LCDR Steve Didio — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:49:00 -0400

Comes down to trust. To grow your "troops", in the military or civilian world, the Boss must accept the risks associated with allowing subordinates to make decisions and take independent actions. The best bosses I had allowed me to make decisions, learn from mistakes, and grow to become a better leader.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 28 at 2015 7:02 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:02:24 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig I would say Integrity. But, honestly, I believe you can't be a leader if you don't first live all Army Values. Integrity, however is the only one you can't recover from if you violate it.

I would also add humility and candor also are important.

As I have said before, here, it is essential a leader can provide credible and honest feedback to me, on what I am doing well, what I am doing not so well, and how I can improve.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 28 at 2015 7:15 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:15:59 -0400

It's an interesting question but I don't think really can be honestly answered as there is no one quality that I need to see most in any senior lead or supervisor a.k.a. boss

Well I think good honest communicative skills are a vital need without other traits that one does no good the same could be said for all other traits I can think of

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Apr 28 at 2015 7:54 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:54:15 -0400

I can't work for weasels who skirt the system or use their position in name only without doing the job expected of them.

Response by Col Lyman Faith made Apr 28 at 2015 8:21 PM

Col Lyman Faith — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 20:21:55 -0400

Without integrity, you have nothing else.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 28 at 2015 9:19 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 21:19:07 -0400

I chose empathy. I would say that it is paramount with connection and will help build your working relationship.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 28 at 2015 9:25 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 21:25:38 -0400

While it may vary for position to position, if they have integrity the others will fall in place as well.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 28 at 2015 11:11 PM

SGT John Wesley — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 23:11:13 -0400

I chose integrity! My leaders would have to be above reproach, honesty should be their watch word.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 28 at 2015 11:32 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 23:32:39 -0400

Integrity. Without this the others are all simply moot Points.

Response by CW3 Guy Snodgrass made Apr 29 at 2015 8:53 AM

CW3 Guy Snodgrass — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 08:53:22 -0400

In my opinion I would go with "Integrity". I believe that if one has integrity the other qualities are already instilled.

-Guy

Response by TSgt David Holman made Apr 29 at 2015 12:28 PM

TSgt David Holman — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:28:31 -0400

This was a very tough call. If I had to pick one, it would be respect because it would encompass most of the others as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 4:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 16:08:46 -0400

I would like to see in my boss Integrity, loyalty, presences, respect and keep his words.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 10:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 22:27:04 -0400

Integrity...if you truly have it, everything else will fall into place. That's what I want in a leader, that's the leader I try to be.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 30 at 2015 1:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:11:56 -0400

I prepared my subordinates for success. I expect that from a superior as well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 1:02 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 01:02:14 -0400

I want someone who is considerate of his soldiers, with training, and opportunities. Everything but a selfish SOB.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 1:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 01:17:36 -0400

A spine! I'm so tired of seeing jellyfish in leadership positions!

Response by SGT Rick Ash made May 7 at 2015 1:45 AM

SGT Rick Ash — Thu, 07 May 2015 01:45:33 -0400

The list contains all very admirable traits. But a Company Commander or MSgt that delegates authority and the power that accompanies it will gain the respect and loyalty of his entire command. And a CO or MSgt will already have great listening skills which gives him empathy and integrity.

Even if you are a PFC or 1st LT by delegating it sends a clear message that you trust the men under you. Any of the traits listed have the potential to make a soldier a leader of men.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 2:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 02:29:25 -0400

Actually being seen. Mentor comes to mind. If a leader has the willingness, and the ability to mentor then all the other things are likely already there.