The Army Has Lost The Art Of Leadership

The question is The Army Has Lost the “Art Of Leadership”?
This is the same question that was asked during the 70s, 80s 90s and now 20s. I entered the military in 1977 and retired in 2007, back them, some of my NCOs just returned from Vietnam and there was the same comparison to those NCOs now. Back them I had NCOs that were concerned only about themselves and get away with anything possible, not been in formation, use illegal drugs and AWOL, etc... At the same time, there were other NCOs that dedicated their time to take care of soldiers and look out for their wellbeing as some do today.
I never care for the “Spot Light” NCO. Spot light NCO is that NCO that when they see their Higher in rank coming their way, they act like they are the hardest worker in the unit. Once those higher rank leaves the area, the spot light NCO return to do what he was doing earlier, sit on his rear. The Art of Leadership” still around, I think it has taken a detour from the chain of command. True NCOs welcome the opportunity and the challenge to make changes, apply changes and do the right thing for their soldiers. We, as leaders must assess junior enlisted and groom them for future NCOs. How? Well, start by knowing them, knowing their family, mentor them, counsel them when they derail and pray them when a job well done. Leader at times concentrates on what is wrong or what went wrong, when they should be concentrating on how the “Team” do and how can they do it better.
I always told all my NCOs that they don’t need worry about the next promotion, just do the job and things will work out. Senior leaders should be walking around and talking to their soldiers. The best conversation is when “we” as leaders, just sit and listen our junior soldiers voice their concerns. There is a lot to learn from junior soldiers if we give them the time. Once you gather their information, analyzed and see how you as a leader can implement changes base on the information obtained during the conversation.
My best time was during my field exercises and during my perimeter check after midnight. I will sit there for hours listen to my junior enlisted soldiers rambling about what he/she think was wrong with their individual unit. I did this several times until I cover all the Squadron’s units. I then analyzed the information and discussed with my commander. There were several times in which soldier saw the chain of command as being out touch or not concern with their wellbeing. We (command group) adapted changes that we saw necessary and at the same time made mention to the unit commanders’ and first sergeants in which they too made some changes. The overall picture should be “the TEAM,” “the Company”, the “Battalion/Squadron” and on and on.
I believe the course of deployments have some to do with the way NCOs behave themselves around their junior enlisted. Being deploy for a long period can bring everyone together in a way that NCOs and junior enlisted become real close at time jeopardizing the integrity of the NCO Support Cannel. NCO should never place himself as a friend first and leader later. He/she should always withhold his position as a leader no matter what. Once he/she violates or compromise himself/herself, his/her role as a leader is no longer respected nor view as such. Being the Senior Enlisted leader in the Squadron/Battalion, Brigade or Division, is the longlines spot in the Service, but I would not change it for anything. I never owe anyone any favor, never promise anything and never violate the guidelines of my “NCO Creed”
To all NCOs, just follow the guidelines given to us in the “NCO Creed”, take care of soldier, look out for them at all time and the “Art of Leadership” will resurrect to be as stronger as it has been for over 200 years.

To me the author of this article has no conception of what the CSM was saying. What the CSM was trying to say is, If you can't take care of the simple things, then how can you be expected to take care of soldier's needs? If the author of this article can't figure this out, then how can he/she write an article on this subject?
I don't think the "art" of leadership has been lost, there are a lot of good leaders out there. The problem is not everyone is a leader as the Army tries to let on. Anyone who's read my threads and posts know how I feel and I'm not going to repeat myself here.

so true..