Posted on Jun 14, 2019
What are some ways I can improve my command presence?
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I am leaving for advanced camp in a couple weeks and to be prepared, this is one of my weaker areas I would like to develop. My reserved quiet nature works against me. However, I believe I can still work to my strengths by using the principle of "be brief, be bold, be brilliant, and be gone" in my interactions. I want to become an inspirational leader, but I don't want to come across fake by trying to be someone I am not. That being said, I am willing to change.
Personal Development
ROTC
Leadership Development
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 35
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Many good leaders, even great leaders are reserved. Just as you are planning, find a given situation where you have that aha moment knowing you can help guide the group and simply speak out professionally and controlled providing your input. They follow it and you are right-winner, hey follow it and you are wrong-it happens. The point is to always choose your words wisely, try not to get exited (outwardly) and be humble with the result. Of course what you do need to do is find your Hoooah, when you and your Team overcome obstacles, either mental or physical. Thank you for your future service.
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1LT (Join to see)
Roger CSM Darieus Z. Thank you for you advice. This puts into perspective what I need to work on.
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LTC Jason Mackay
1LT (Join to see) the advantage of not saying a lot is people listen when you do speak.
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Some of the best commanders I ever had were “Quiet Professionals”. In fact. A study held at Fort Leavenworth back on the 80’s labeled most successful leaders as introverts. It’s not that they were holding back but rather they were deep thinkers that weighed their decisions before stepping forward. Knee jerk command action is often poorly thought out. Be yourself. Your opportunity will come. Trying to force a “Command Presence” is only seen as arrogant. Special operations do not call themselves the quiet professionals lightly. They mean it. Think, analyze, study, then “Act” with solid performance.
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1LT William Clardy
Accept that you will never be fully prepared, 1LT (Join to see). When putting out an OPORD, make sure your subordinates understand what the goal of the mission is, and their part in accomplishing that. That way, whenever unexpected contingencies arise, they can react independently in ways that continue to support the mission. And don't forget that communications is a two-way street: many times a subordinate's question can highlight a critical vulnerability - or opportunity.
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Sgt Tee Organ
Sometimes knee jerk responses are warranted, like under fire or when there are sudden changes to a plan, but you will have plenty of leaders under you already on this, just make sure they are where they need to be and that they don't create problems by the unknown factors of their direction. You'll find if you sit back, you have a pretty good set of enlisted folks running things, especially when things get hairy, they respond better than you will expect, but then again, they have a TON more experience than you. They make you look good, you follow through for them and do the same too. The more you learn in this way, the better you'll be in the long run.
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You're a cadet, you have no command, just a bunch of other cadets just like you (some looking to get ahead of you). Just listen, learn and never put yourself ahead of your soldiers. The rest will come, don't try to be someone you're not, the troops will spot it in a second.
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1LT (Join to see)
Roger sir. That makes sense. At the cadet level, it is easy to step on other people's toes. I think, like you said, the rest will come with time and experience in a leadership position. Competence and experience will lead to confidence and command presence.
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SSgt Rachel Shelley (Cook)
Excellent advice. 100% true. Your troops will sniff you out if you fake it. And it's totally ok to fly under the radar, especially as a cadet.
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