Posted on Jan 1, 2014
What advice do you have for an NCO who is an introvert? How to be successful in the military?
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I have been in the service for 9 years and being an introvert took a hard toll on me in the enlisted ranks. I was forced to be outgoing and learned to express my thoughts through the constant environment of extroverts. So for my self development I tried learning and reading self help books in order to get my mindset and get myself out of the shyness gutter. Until I ran into the MBTI while searching online. I took the test and figured out my personality which states that I am an INTP. For those of you who don't know an INTP, they are a quiet individuals who enjoys a lot about theorizing and never liked doing p.t. (summarized view of an INTP). To me as an INTP was that in order for me to operate. There has to be a reason for me to operate. So in order for me to stay motivated and fit, I took the time in reading a lot of books, including FM 6-22 so that I can understand the role of a leader.Which formed the building blocks of BE-KNOW-DO. That helped me with the ascension to becoming a SGT. So a lot of foundation and building blocks of being an NCO and also thanks to PLDC (now called WLC) I was able to understand more of being a in a leadership role. However, I was still stuck in the introvert mindset, I expel a large amount of energy being a functioning extrovert and that only brings me to conclude that you have to be an outgoing person, more on interpersonal skills to be better in the military. I have gone way past my discrepancies and I can communicate effectively through a medium, like Rally Point. Although, It's still hard for me to be concise I take a long time explaining and try to encourage soldiers to think outside the box, which is a big mistake that I learned and am now understanding the function of TLP's which also includes the 1/4's time management rule I learned in PLDC. As for applying these tools, my way of motivating soldiers is another story, which takes another hard toll on me to instill motivation. As a newly promoted sergeant, I had the opportunity to lead and direct soldiers to complete tasks and also be the active listener for them. The issue was that, it was difficult to instill motivation, nor did I have the fortitude to correct a soldier simply because I was still a new sergeant and worried about my relationship with that soldier. To me it was a hard task. So what would be an advice to an introvert who is or was a E-5?
Psychology
Introvert
NCOs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
This is a great post, and good on you for taking the Myers-Briggs and understanding INTP and what drives you. <div><br></div><div>You possess a great deal of self awareness, which combined with motivation, means you are far more likely to succeed in any environment, even if it's not a natural one for you. (I realize this sounds like a fortune cookie).</div><div><br></div><div>I think you answered your own question in your post. The key to being a good leader, especially as an introvert, is to know yourself. I've known many introverts in the military. You are definitely not alone. I find your post very motivating. Perhaps now as a veteran, you will find written communication as your new platform to lead and inspire?</div>
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SSG Mike Angelo
The Myers-Briggs is a good tool in learning about what others think of you based on the Likert scale of questions. True to introverts are the analytical and work alone types. I am glad you found that in you. However, caution on the MBTI as it measures your mood at the moment. You may want to take it after a tiring event, or early in the morning to see if your behavior is constant. Build on it!!! Very good.
An ice breaker for NCO INTJ's is to hold formations, march troops and count cadence; get out there. On the social side, get involved with your community; scouts, JCs, or single soldier programs. Look at a local Toastmasters chapter too.
Look at your path for personal leadership as well as professional leadership. Ask yourself, where do you want to see yourself in 5 or 10 years down the road?
An ice breaker for NCO INTJ's is to hold formations, march troops and count cadence; get out there. On the social side, get involved with your community; scouts, JCs, or single soldier programs. Look at a local Toastmasters chapter too.
Look at your path for personal leadership as well as professional leadership. Ask yourself, where do you want to see yourself in 5 or 10 years down the road?
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As a fellow introvert (INTJ), I can only say "that's why we call it work...." <div><br></div><div>Realize that you are going to be in situations where your duty/responsibilities go against your natural inclinations. Make a plan and execute. Have the difficult conversations now & don't let situations fester. I recommend the book & training called "crucial conversations" for practical guidance in this area. </div><div><br></div><div>Realize that you aren't going to be the social butterfly type. Make sure you show up and look like you are having a good time during mandatory fun. Know when it's socially acceptable to slip out. Practice making small talk (there is an industry around teaching us introverts how to do that... The easiest trick is to ask an extrovert about themselves & then nod occasionally. :-) ). Get good at declining invitations that you don't want without appearing standoffish. Accept a few & extend a few as well. Figure out your comfort zones. Generally, you will find goal-directed activities to be more engaging than free-form. So, maybe do the paintball part, and slip out when it becomes the head to the bar part. </div><div><br></div><div>Realize that you need time to yourself to reset. Block out that time and defend it. Don't feel guilty about doing so. </div>
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<p>Be yourself, if you try and convert to something that is not you, it will make it even more difficult and set yourself up for failure in the end. While being an introvert or an extrovert will make a definitive difference in your leadership styles, it should have no real affect on how you are able to take an order or task and put it into motion, it is you the individual that starts and ends the motion at hand.</p><p><br></p><p>Embrace it and utilize it for what is you and what makes you tick, it will always be more success than failure if you are truly doing what makes you the person you are, not the status quo that is expected, we are not robots but critical thinking NCOs that are capable of leading men and women into combat and bringing them back home alive.</p>
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LTC George Tobias III
Well said Sergeant Baber. There are different types of leaders. I myself, am more of an introvert, but have always had my hand on the mission and men tasked to make it happen. We can do a lot, primarily, NCO's, Officers, to help those needing a helping hand. Where would a new Lieutenant be without a good platoon sergeant to walk the way with. Thanks for you recent response. I passed it on to my daughter the importance of the FOP. Take care friend. Enjoy your professionalism. Wish I had 20 of you when I was in Command, at least 5 or 6.
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SFC James Baber
Thank you Sir, I have always tried to be the way I was taught growing up, treat everyone the way you want to be treated and follow your elders (leaders) guidance as someday you may the one who is in charge and you should know what you are doing or how to find out when asked, it will make you the person you were or are meant to be.
I always tried my best to help out my leaders and guide my junior leaders, especially my LTs and a few CPTs in their career progression of knowledge as they may have to make the decision that put my and my Soldiers life in the balance and I would want them to make the hard right over the easy wrong any day.
Tell your daughter good luck and just like when she was in the military watch her six and enjoy the job, it does have its rewards, especially when you are serving and protecting your community.
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