Without using names if bad, what are some traits of leadership you have learned to emmulate or never do.

CSM Michael Poll — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:33:26 -0500

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Mar 4 at 2014 4:35 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:35:10 -0500

Provide guidance when assigning or evaluating a task. I had a leader that liked to say "I'll know right when I see it, that isn't it."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 4:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:37:11 -0500

Take the time to listen first.

Step back to objectively process a situation.

Watch how you say/word things.

Do not use profanity.

Do not demean others, especially subordinates, regardless of the situation.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 4 at 2014 4:38 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:38:18 -0500

I will never attempt to enforce opinions or preferences, only standards.

Response by 1SG Alan Bailey made Mar 4 at 2014 4:38 PM

1SG Alan Bailey — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:38:51 -0500

I had a 1SG that always said, "STANDARDS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT RIGHT LOOKS LIKE" and I have used it now for about 15 years.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 5:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:04:51 -0500

Leader by example and always do what is right. That's what my SGM always said because you never know who is looking or aorund.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 5:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:12:21 -0500

CSM Poll, I've learned not to emulate leaders who show they really don't give a darn about their subordinates.

Getting to know your soldiers is as simple as asking a soldier how his weekend went, or how his family is doing, or what his plans are for the weekend. If the only words you ever speak to me are, "Take this to the motor pool" or "PT is cancelled tomorrow," don't expect me to come to you when I have problems or need help.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 26 at 2014 6:21 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:21:56 -0400

CSM -

On the DO list -

1. Spend time with your Soldiers

2. Know at least a little about your Soldiers' personal lives (eg wife's first name, kids' names, hobbies)

3. Be up front and honest with them, and they'll likely treat you the same.

4. If you screw up, own up, clean up then drive on.

5. Lead by example - never ask a Soldier to perform a task you would not (or haven't) done yourself.

On the DON'T list -

1. Throw your weight around. Nobody respects a bully.

2. Make a promise you can't or won't keep.

3. Be arbitrary - one standard, for one and all.

4. Change what right looks like. You know already.

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Mar 26 at 2014 6:59 PM

SGT Suraj Dave — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:59:50 -0400

As I had leaders who did this to me when I was lower enlisted, I vowed to never...

- Talk to a soldier like he is my dog or an infant

- Laugh and joke about my subordinates issues with other leaders

- Show favoritism.

- Compare soldiers to each other

I had good leaders also, who taught me to.........
- Effectively communicate to solve problems

- All soldiers are different. You will need to use different tools when dealing with different soldiers.
- Importance of a leaders book
Etc....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 8:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 20:40:21 -0400

Favortism is a NO-GO, I have seen it a lot. Be firm and fair with all Soldiers, stay in their A$$ all the time but always have their back when it is required. Just because an order is given by a senior that can destroy morale, attempt to fight for your guys. Don't focus on career progression over Joe!!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 8:45 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 20:45:06 -0400

As someone who spent 5 1/2 years as a Specialist, I got to observe lots of good and not-so-good leaders. There are lots of good and lots of bad traits that I have taken to heart. But all of them can be summed up by this one phrase:

NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

This, to me, means to always remember what it looks like from a junior enlisted perspective. Your subordinates watch you, even when you don't think they are. They are. So I strive to be the leader that *I* wanted to have when I was a Specialist.

This is why whenever someone I know is promoted to Sergeant, the first thing I tell them is "Never Forget Where You Came From."

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 9:03 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:03:39 -0400

To care for my fellow soldiers, to listen to every side of the story, and to take responsibility.

I will never use my rank as an arguing point.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 12:10 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:10:35 -0400

Never be too good to pick up a broom and sweep, or do a task. Sometimes your Soldiers can't do to other obligations. Sometimes it is just good to show them you put your pants on one legs at a time.

When I was a young Engineer SPC, my PSG would always hang back during chow time and refused to eat until all of us would get ours first. When I became a Squad Leader, he would make me hang back as well. At first I was a little miffed, I was a SPC...when he saw the look on my face he simply said, Leaders let their Joes eat first, when you are a Leader, you are a Leader...regardless of your rank. I always make sure my guys are ahead of me in line. It's habit now.