Posted on Jul 21, 2016
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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What type of Manager/Individual/Boss would get the very best work you have to offer?

Describe what right looks like to you?

Understanding there is a difference between a Boss and a Leader - just describe the type individual you would want to work for if given a choice?
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 24
MSgt Richard Rountree
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I hate being micro-managed. I would have loved to work for Gen George S. Patton who famously said: "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
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MCPO Couch Potato
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I think my favorite Patton story was when he first took over his first command during WWI. Trench foot was causing more casualties than the Germans, and it was recommended that everyone have two pairs of boots so they could rotate them. He knew everyone would resist an order to do it, so he got smart. He ordered that boots would be laced left over right on even days of the month, and right over left on odd days. The tankers in his command "circumvented" this "stupid" order by buying a second pair of boots and lacing them opposite their first pair. Trench foot cases in his commands went WAY down after that, and the men were happy that they had "screwed the old man."
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
8 y
MSgt Richard Rountree I agree and feel the same way! I always gave the mission and my Commander's Intent, then I let the staff make it happen (the smart guys who were getting paid to make it happen)! Sounds like a Patton moment to me! LOL! Thanks for your feedback Richard!
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LTC Stephen F.
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Somebody with a strong work ethic; who respects superiors, peers and subordinates; consistently displays servant leadership; is willing to learn from whomever knows what they are doing well; and has a strong belief in training and empowering employees to learn COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
8 y
LTC Stephen F. Great response Stephen. Didn't expect anything less from you my friend!
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LTC Stephen C.
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Edited 8 y ago
"Do everything you ask of those you command."
"Do more than is required of you."
"If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
"Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way. "
"No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair."
"Say what you mean and mean what you say."
"The leader must be an actor."
"The soldier is the army."
"There is only one type of discipline, perfect discipline."
"An Army is a team; lives, sleeps, eats, fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is a lot of crap."
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
I've focused my response on the military and did so by using some random quotes from General George Patton. Collectively, they seem to capture his management style, which overall seemed to have worked well for him. My favorites are the first and the last quotes that I provided. COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
8 y
LTC Stephen C. Excellent list of qualities and characteristics that you've assembled from GEN Patton - awesome!
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