Posted on Jul 20, 2015
Any ideas for how to teach a subordinate E-5 tact?
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I have a promoteable E-5 soldier who is technically and tactically proficient but, he lacks tactfulness and a diplomatic approach. To the point where he is losing the respect of his peers and subordinates. I'm looking for any ideas to help me teach him how to be better at it.
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SSG
SSG
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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Honestly there's really no other way then brutal honesty. He has to know that he's losing support from his peers and subordinates, and that may spark him to want to change so that he doesn't lose that.
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WO1 (Join to see)
I understand what your saying, what's good about this Soldier is that he knows his stuff. He just doesn't communicate it very well so at least I can work with that. It would be more of a problem if he was a shit bag but he's not.
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SSG (Join to see)
I had a problem with this myself. I've always been too brutally honest. The best way I have found that helped me was to have in depth conversations after each and every incident. Either with the person I wasn't tactful with or my superior. How what I said effected the other person (s) and what could have been done better. Also, having people around me not afraid to tell me I was being an a-hole. Nothing like on the spot corrections!
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SFC (Join to see)
You are absolutely right. It really all depends on the person in question. Some people react differently to brutal honesty. Others react differently to in depth conversations.
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Some of the others have already hit the point but honesty is most important. You don't have to wait till his next counseling session to start. If you feel documenting is necessary use a 4856 in the interim until the next session. Take the time to identify specifics on when his behavior is unacceptable and ways he can be more diplomatic.
Set up scenarios based on his past actions and Play them out and highlight where he needed to use a different approach and how or what types of approach to use.
Monitor monitor monitor. Make on the spot corrections as you see them. For some people It is a personality trait and it has worked for him so you have to show him how a different approaches would be more effective.
Lastly try to find the root of it. What makes him lash out. Frustration, lack of training, motivation, stress. This will help you identify the emotions behind his actions. Use MRT. the ATC method sounds like it would be useful in this situation. Hope this helps.
Set up scenarios based on his past actions and Play them out and highlight where he needed to use a different approach and how or what types of approach to use.
Monitor monitor monitor. Make on the spot corrections as you see them. For some people It is a personality trait and it has worked for him so you have to show him how a different approaches would be more effective.
Lastly try to find the root of it. What makes him lash out. Frustration, lack of training, motivation, stress. This will help you identify the emotions behind his actions. Use MRT. the ATC method sounds like it would be useful in this situation. Hope this helps.
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WO1 (Join to see)
This is great feedback, thank you. While honesty has always been the plan. I want to be cautious of the way I present myself so as not to display a lack of tact while trying to instruct him. I have used MRT with him but he isn't that receptive to those methods so I am trying to find something a bit more personalized. I like what SSG Caishon had recommend about instructing a class. I think this will force him to look at what his communication methods are and whether or not they are effective.
Monitoring will be my biggest struggle. I think I'll need to carry a book just to keep track :-)
Monitoring will be my biggest struggle. I think I'll need to carry a book just to keep track :-)
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SSG Jeffrey Landry
I agree you can use the counseling forms, also point out how others talk to each other, give the Soldier a chance to see from a leaders perspective. continue to support but at the same time point out situation when and how they have talked to some one. If left unattended this NCO will not grow and you as a leader will have failed
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I think you need to pull him aside and talk about the overall needs of leadership - tact being a valid part of it. I think you need to give him some examples of who to bring up things in a tactful manner and ask him if he would respond better to someone who demonstrates it or just rolls over him. Just a thought.
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WO1 (Join to see)
I have a planned counseling session with him next week involving this. Just want to get some solid plans in place to help him along.
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