Posted on May 11, 2014
Are military members less motivated in this era? Are they too smart for their own good?
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I came in 1984, and we were the stew generation, we transformed under fire of leadership and you adapted quickly. Granted we had garrison time, and E-1, was responsible for cleaning, and shining brass.
To much is give much is required, we took the cleaning jobs away and took on contractors. This took away motivation and humility. This generation is documented and has all of the advantages. I noticed many do not take correction well, or handle set-backs.
We are living in an age of over analyze and Politically correctness.
To much is give much is required, we took the cleaning jobs away and took on contractors. This took away motivation and humility. This generation is documented and has all of the advantages. I noticed many do not take correction well, or handle set-backs.
We are living in an age of over analyze and Politically correctness.
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This is a very common logical fallacy -- see http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Good_old_days
"No era has a monopoly on virtue". The only constant is, human beings are more malleable and susceptible to influence when they are younger compared to when they are older. Most of our recruits enter the military between the ages of 17 and 25 -- their most impressionable years. Whatever methodology is impressed upon that clay will stick for the rest of their career.
For a humorous but no less cogent take, see http://xkcd.com/1227/
"No era has a monopoly on virtue". The only constant is, human beings are more malleable and susceptible to influence when they are younger compared to when they are older. Most of our recruits enter the military between the ages of 17 and 25 -- their most impressionable years. Whatever methodology is impressed upon that clay will stick for the rest of their career.
For a humorous but no less cogent take, see http://xkcd.com/1227/
"Good old days" is a term that is often used in when engaging in nostalgia, remembering only the positive aspects of times past while sweeping concomitant negatives under the rug. It has also been called the Golden Age Fallacy.[2]
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I don't think they are less motivated so much as they require a different type of motivation. I am more amazed by the leaders that think that older leadership styles are still relevant now.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thanks for responding SFC. What makes you think older leadership sales are not relevant?
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SFC (Join to see)
Leadership styles should evolve just like anything else in the Army. The days of "Do it because I said so!" are in the past.
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SGT Micheal Adams
Those leadership styles are a thing of the past because we let them be. Because I said may be the thing that saves someone's ass in a fight. Not sitting around the water buffalo explaining everything till your sick of it.
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What is your perfect Sailor, Soldier, Airman, or Marine? Do you want someone that is fantastic at fogging mirrors on command? Do you want someone that questions what is going on but is ? Or do you want someone capable of hacking the enemy's defense department without trying, but can't remember to keep themselves clean?
Is this a personal motivational or intelligence problem or is this a leadership problem?
Is this a personal motivational or intelligence problem or is this a leadership problem?
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SSG (Join to see)
You should be more clear on what you are trying to say. I don't understand what you are asking/implying.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Sorry, trying to work on a paper and some training at the same time. Brain is not great on working on everything at the same time! Hehehe, too smart for my own good.
My Point is/was what each branch looks for is different. And what we looked for 20 years is different than what we look for now.
During the Cold War there was a threat that we could all die in a Nuclear War. We trained for that. Now days we have worry about crazy dudes with explosives blowing us up. The threat leave is completely different geo-politically speaking. We have kids that were raised on PS3/XBOX360 ect...ect...vs going to an arcade. They have access the worlds knowledge level where before they had learn it in school. What we know and how quickly we learn is different.
We have to change how we lead. I had kids work for me that did not know what the Cold War was but could explain to me how to write a website in minutes.
The knowledge level has changed and what is important to us has changed.
What makes me tick is different than you. What motivates you I bet is different than what motivates me.
I see this conversation as a leadership issue. I need to know what makes my guys/gals tick so I can do what I need to motivate them.
My Point is/was what each branch looks for is different. And what we looked for 20 years is different than what we look for now.
During the Cold War there was a threat that we could all die in a Nuclear War. We trained for that. Now days we have worry about crazy dudes with explosives blowing us up. The threat leave is completely different geo-politically speaking. We have kids that were raised on PS3/XBOX360 ect...ect...vs going to an arcade. They have access the worlds knowledge level where before they had learn it in school. What we know and how quickly we learn is different.
We have to change how we lead. I had kids work for me that did not know what the Cold War was but could explain to me how to write a website in minutes.
The knowledge level has changed and what is important to us has changed.
What makes me tick is different than you. What motivates you I bet is different than what motivates me.
I see this conversation as a leadership issue. I need to know what makes my guys/gals tick so I can do what I need to motivate them.
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