Why do you believe certain people disregard advice or points of view because of rank?

So this one time, at Ft Hunter-Liggett..........you thought I was gonna say band camp, huh......

Anyway. So, one particular Annual Training event at Ft Hunter-Liggett, my Soldiers and I (Reservists) were sent to live/work on TAA Ward with 10th CSH. Not only were we to facilitate PM inspections of Ward itself, but also of the AO the CSH roped off. So, I sent my two Soldiers (both SPC and no right sleeve patch, I was a SGT at the time with a right sleeve patch at the time) to inspect the shower point the CSH had set up. My Soldiers came back a little bit later asking me to help them because the SGT running the shower point copped 'tude and blew them off with inspection findings and recommendations. So, I went over and conducted an inspection. My findings and recommendations matched my Soldiers. The SGT running the shower took everything I said and "Check Roger SGT" responded to me.

Now, that was the situation with an outside source. Internally, I have never blown off what my Troops have to say. I ask for, and appreciate, their advice and input. I can't have all the answers. They may have a better approach to something than what I may have.

Put me in the same camp as those leaders described in your third para. It is a cliche but true nonetheless, that your troops make you. The more senior you become, the farther you are from the details of your responsibility. But they are literally elbow deep, and almost always see an alternative. Examples of this would require a page per day of an entire career. I am a certified welder, but my HT3 lays a bead out like a row of nickels. I am a qualified OOD, but I've had my BMOW check my rudder orders, I'm qualed on a 50cal, but my GM2 can clear a jam faster than me, and so on. As a leader your job is to get the best from your team. A team you are part of, not outside of. Their idea may not be THE idea, but is AN idea and is part of your info sifting before setting direction. Simultaneously, you must guard against the perception that your team is a democracy. I've seen lazy people in charge (as opposed to leaders) fall into a democracy of sorts because it is easy and popular, but is just waiting for a time when leadership is required to show them wanting. And I've often observed that those Chiefs and officers most unsure of their own leadership capabilities were those who were afraid to be seen taking advice/observations from those junior to them.

It doesn't change out here on "civvy street". Unions move in when management is weak and unresponsive. I've been point man in seven union avoidance campaigns. We were not successful in seven of seven because we listened to supervisors and managers, but because we got out on the floor, on every shift, and listened to the rank and file.

It never hurts to listen... someone may have the answer your thinking about... or a better one. SPC (Join to see) .