Can we count the "Power Nap" as Leaders Sometimes Need a "Sleep"?

2015-07-22T12:41:06-04:00

Can we count the traditional "Power Nap" as the same as Leaders Sometimes Need a "Sleep"?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leaders-sometimes-need-sleep-lee-narraway [login to see] 385207296?trk=hp-feed-article-title-channel-add

In my continuing series on Leadership I found this very interesting article about what the civilian business world is starting to allow in the workplace. Do you agree with the approach?

Is this something we could incorporate in the military (within reason based on mission, location, situation, etc.) or do we already do it?

Your thoughts about what I use to call the (20 minute Power Nap) and pull up a tree after going 12 to 24 hours straight?

667163:TSgt Julia Faulks] SGT Private RallyPoint Member TSgt Hunter Logan COL Charles Williams LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. CW4 Private RallyPoint Member CW3 Private RallyPoint Member SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGM Private RallyPoint Member SSG Ryan Rodney CPT Private RallyPoint Member SSgt Private RallyPoint Member CW3 Kevin Storm CMSgt Mark Schubert PO2 Mark Saffell LTC John Shaw CPT Private RallyPoint Member PO1 Shahida Marmol

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 22 at 2015 12:42 PM

2015-07-22T12:42:36-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs If it is out of view of everyone, I totally agree with it. There were days that I had to close my door and take a 15 minute power nap. It is better than being run down all day. IMHO.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 22 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-07-22T12:44:26-04:00

When I was leading my military men/women, I didn't have time for naps. :-)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-07-22T12:45:17-04:00

I know that when I'm deprived of sleep on a consistent basis it affects my ability to think through problems and to solve them. I think a power nap is a great idea but I also know that many leaders would not use it because of the drive to tirelessly relentlessly not be out of the game.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-07-22T12:45:41-04:00

There have been plenty of times where I could used 15-30 minutes to recharge my batteries. I have a any at home now that doesn't sleep through the night and my mornings come early. Being able to take a quick power nap might help me cut back on my coffee or energy drink intake.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Jul 22 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-07-22T12:46:26-04:00

I actually read a report about the benefits of 30 minutes. No More than that. some companies actually have nap rooms

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Jul 22 at 2015 12:51 PM

2015-07-22T12:51:22-04:00

I think when you need one, take one.
At an lull in an exercise, we sent our LTC away to go play a round of golf. We all benefitted.
another time, overseas exercise, one of our guys got sick, but functional, sent him back to the bay to just get some deep sleep - it did his body some good!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 22 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-07-22T13:19:41-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Migraines get me, Can't do this! I am better off without the power nap, if I try to sleep off nightly cycle I get a HUGE migraine. Even if I have been awake over a 24 hour period, better to 'power' through with Caffeine and get a solid 4-5 hours the next night.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:37 PM

2015-07-22T13:37:13-04:00

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-07-22T13:46:03-04:00

When my dad was in the Army, I would often see him come home during lunch and take a nap. Worked for him for the 6 plus years he was a 1stSgt.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:51 PM

2015-07-22T13:51:55-04:00

Lack of sleep will cloud your judgement. GEN Rosecrans made a battle decision at the battle of Chickamauga. He opened up a gap in his lines and the South took advantage of it. He didn't sleep for several days and wasn't capable of making coherent decisions. Lesson learned is to get some sleep rather to make horrible decisions.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 22 at 2015 4:11 PM

2015-07-22T16:11:38-04:00

I had a BN CO who told us the following prior to one of our major field ops.

"Make sure you get at least 4 hours, ever 24, even if it's broken up."

Much later on, through various TV shows, independent research etc, his advise has proven just true. Lack of sleep is as dangerous if not more dangerous than intoxication.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/important-sleep-habits

In the short term:

Decreased Performance and Alertness: Sleep deprivation induces significant reductions in performance and alertness. Reducing your nighttime sleep by as little as one and a half hours for just one night could result in a reduction of daytime alertness by as much as 32%.

Memory and Cognitive Impairment: Decreased alertness and excessive daytime sleepiness impair your memory and your cognitive ability -- your ability to think and process information.

Stress Relationships: Disruption of a bed partner's sleep due to a sleep disorder may cause significant problems for the relationship (for example, separate bedrooms, conflicts, moodiness, etc.).

Poor Quality of Life: You might, for example, be unable to participate in certain activities that require sustained attention.

Occupational Injury: Excessive sleepiness also contributes to a greater than twofold higher risk of sustaining an occupational injury.

Automobile Injury: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates conservatively that each year drowsy driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 4:15 PM

2015-07-22T16:15:08-04:00

I am all for "Power" naps some times you have to sleep when you can. I think this idea of sleep deprivation so pervasive in our military takes away from unit readiness. If you are a leader focus on result not weather or not your guys are taking power naps. Now someone on a lookout post or driving a ship has to stay awake but short of a standing a watch just normal duty can afford a power nap here and there in trade for a completely alert soldier.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-07-22T18:41:23-04:00

I've been known to power nap standing up in formation.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 23 at 2015 8:51 AM

2015-07-23T08:51:46-04:00

This is exactly the reason why large employers such as Google have nap pods!
Also, I seriously think lack of sleep caused or at least worsened my Sleep Apnea.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 23 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-07-23T10:59:59-04:00

Leaders who think they can go none stop, are destined to make poor decisions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-07-23T11:58:11-04:00

I believe everyone needs to maintain a good sleep pattern, however, when it's not possible: a power nap can be beneficial. I've taken 1-2 hour naps that made me feel like I had a full night's sleep, it all really depends on how long you've gone without sleep.