Cyber Generation and Leadership

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:49:59 -0500

I grew up on the leading edge of what I guess we could call the cyber generation. I had the old rotarty telephone, and my Apple IIGS was super awesome with snake and BASIC programming. As a teen started getting online with AOL and as a young adult started seeing all my friends start carrying cell phones instead of my dad's pager.

Now, a majority of our younger members grew up for the most part always having this technology and the instant gratification/information sources they can provide. Some of them rely on this tech so much, they either don't like to or can't engage in face-to-face communication to the point that it seems they can't retain the imformtion that isn't in their preferred format.

I've done a lot of thinking on this and brain storming within leadership circles, but want your inputs too. How do you engage with these members in a way that they understand and retain the information? Not so much following orders for immediate prosecution, but trying to pass on long term policies, info like MWR info, events, commander/service interest items, etc.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 8 at 2013 10:36 AM

CMC Robert Young — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 10:36:53 -0500

The techno revolution is definitely changing our world and how we lead it. I would offer two things with the understanding that it may be years before we actually determine successful best practices. The fluidity of the situation doesn't lend itself well to easy answers. First, we established focused e-mail bang lists for specific supervisory levels/occupational specialties/duty sections/etc. For people who live their lives in the digital world receiving information (as you so clearly identified) in their preferred fluid and asynchronous manner typically gets the point across, and they are able to digest it quickly and thoroughly which helps retention. Secondly, I identified strongly with your observation about the lack of interpersonal skills exhibited by our younger members. To combat that phenomenon as a leader, I have had to get out of the office more often to force the face to face contact. It offers an opportunity to help them build the soft (people) skills subordinates will need to develop into successful leaders in their own right; to establish positive relationships; and finally to reinforce whatever has been promulgated digitally.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 1:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:06:02 -0400

I remember growing up and having dial up internet, man that was terrible. Anyone remember AIM? lol. I never got a cellphone until I was 18 and signed a contract for myself. a majority or NCOES schools are partially online now.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2014 1:30 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 01:30:45 -0400

I'm coming from the RC perspective so it may be very different than the AC world.

Engage on Facebook. Engage via text messages. Whatever your troops are gravitating towards, engage on that platform. Pinterest, twitter -- it does not matter your own personal preferences -- fake it if you must. A great part of leadership is influence, and speaking your troops' language is the greatest form of influence.

Lure them in with what they are expecting, with media. Photos and short videos like they are used to watching youtube and facebook feeds. Once they are subscrbed and the habit has been built, they will become ambassadors for the information you are trying to disseminate, the policies you are trying to enforce, and the mission you are trying to accomplish.

It all comes down to this. If a Soldier has "liked" your unit Facebook page, there is very little chance that that Soldier is going to be become a nonparticipant.