Any advice for a Commander's first initial counseling to PLs, XO, 1SG?

First and foremost, always be personable with them. They have to understand that you are just a man, just like they are. You don't want to come off as someone who thinks they are better than them. They know you are their commander, that is obvious, you don't need to harp on that fact. As for what to talk about....first tell them about yourself. Your background, your family, your goals. Then ask about them. Listen intently as they will reveal what truly motivates them.

They are looking for guidance and leadership. They are just as nervous in their positions as you are. It becomes your responsibility to ease their fears and let them know that you will all figure it out as a team. Set very clear expectations. For example, if you expect the PL's to arrive 30 minutes before PT starts, then make that very plain to them. Make sure all the goals you set for them are measureable.

Finally, point out to them that no one is in competition with each other. You are a unit, a team, a company. The rewards heaped upon them will be rewards for the team. One bad apple tryin to look good at the expense of others is not what you want in your company. You want team players.

Hope this helps. That is how I approached it and how I have approached it in civilian management as well. It has served me very well over the years.

Good Luck!!

I'm guessing this is your first Company grade command, congratulations! I'm not an Army veteran, but worked as an Army Civilian for 6 years. My best advice is: listen. You're the "new guy", I assume, so you need to attune yourself to the unit. This is your chance to begin to understand the unit's strengths and weaknesses and to understand the informal power structure of the Company. If you have to set performance standards for the unit or the individual at this meeting, then have them well defined and written down before you meet with each person. Ask open ended questions to draw information out of the people you meet with. Pay very close attention to your First Sergeant. If he's been with the Company for a while, he will know more about the unit than anybody else.

Read "Small Unit Leadership" by Col Dandridge Malone first.