Describe the best and worst leader you ever knew? What made them good/bad?

BEST: Those who listened, and KNEW they didn't know everything, but would still command, give orders and sound like they knew what they were doing.

WORST: One on active duty, over in Germany, in '81. The folks who were there and KNOW me KNOW to whom I'm referring to and I doubt very much that he would recognize himself from this description. He was simply the one commander who thought that discipline meant handing out 3 article 15s every week like clockwork. Soldiers couldn't relax or be human in his command, because it was be perfect or get busted.

The American Indian with the hickory stick he instilled greatness in all of us

Best -- Used to call us in, and hand us a project asked for three substantially different courses of action (CoA) with pros and cons of each and a final recommendation. When we were done, he would invariably in a very paternal fashion, tear apart our CoA's then tell us to implement one of the three just as briefed. I asked "Sir, why do I go through this, you've pointed out flaws I didn't foresee, or underestimated. Why not fix it before I get started?" "Because, it is peace time. You CoA isn't going to kill/injure anyone or break anything. You get to be a better planner, leader, and problem solver by dealing with problems, not avoiding them. When I tell you there's a problem, - maybe there's a problem. When YOU tell YOU there is a problem, its the TRUTH." He taught me to let my Marines make mistakes, learn from the mistakes, and still stand by them.

Worst -- Viewed an assignment to Embassy duty, as a three year safari vacation. When he did a Command visit at a detachment, he used the Marines as his personal tour guides. Showed no interest the security mission. Dept of State personnel openly joked that his priorities were 1) Sightseeing, 2) Buying curios, 3) Greasing the skids for a State Dept. job, 4) the Mission. He taught me anger and embarrassment.

Best - LtCol V often called me in and asked me how I would do something, pointed out the flaws and then made me do it like I told him. When I asked him why not correct my plan, he said "there is no teacher like screwing up. You aren't going to kill anybody, You aren't going to break anything that can't be fixed, but it will improve your ability to foresee the foreseeable." His job in peace time was always the development of his subordinates. His terminal rank was LtGen
Worst - LtCol B saw everything in terms of how it reflected on him and his chance of promotion or securing a good State Dept. job, if he got out. Even when things went well, some NCO or junior officer got a smack just so he looked like he was on top of things. The only bad field grade officer I met in the Marines. Fortunately LtCol was his terminal rank.

The worst - my first PSG. As a private I went into the office to be briefed by him and his first words to me were..." Let me tell you something, I HATE PRIVATES", I have to admit I turned off after that. My second worst was a SGM that we had. This guy was simply dangerous to his Soldiers that he lead. He had NO confidence from his Soldiers.
The best...ohhh my I have had some GREAT ones...CSM Kelly when I was at Hood, I had a CSM at Riley that was amazing and I had CSM Harris who was amazing. Going lower than that my last 1SG , 1SG Heston was incredible. I had to deal with him on a day to day basis because I was a PSG and he never treated me like anything other than a PSG even though I was only a lowly SSG. I have had too many to list that were my PSGs over the years. I would say that I have been VERY fortunate. I have had far more AWESOME leaders than bad leaders. My PSGs throughout the years taught me so much, SFC Cofer, SFC Riniker, one of my Tank Commanders SSG Saxton. All of these guys groomed me to be a SSG and beyond and never let me think that I was expected to do anything other than 2 levels above where I was. It helped me to learn to ALWAYS strive for not just the next position, but make sure that I was not only making myself ready for that, but learning how to understand the job two levels above me. It helped, because if you are PSG, and you understand what your 1SG and CSM are going through, then you understand more (may still not agree with and be pissed off about) the decisions that they are making.
I have been blessed for sure.

All the NCOs and Officers in charge of me were excellent, so picking best and least best (when the worst was still excellent) is a little difficult.

Drill sergeant SFC Lloyd at Fort Jackson SC had the most positive impact directly on my life and career. He was a lot like the DI in Full Metal Jacket, but better?

Least best was the company XO in basic (a butter bar LT) --- but he was still EXCELLENT, so the only down side was he was fresh out of university.

SGM Dan Coberly,

Thank you for this question.

The best leader I experienced was CW3 Russell W. Hudson. He was my Detachment Commander in a CID unit. I was his Detachment Sergeant. He allowed me as his NCOIC to act and he supported me knowing I was supporting him. He supported Soldiers, but always accomplished the mission. Under his leadership we deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina (he was OPS at that time) and then to Iraq. He led by example, was devoted to his Soldiers, understood his role and responsibilities, and allowed the success of his Soldiers to be acknowledged and any failures (I don't remember any) were his responsibility.

The worst leader I experienced was LTC Axx X. Xxxx now COL Axx X. Xxxx. She was a leader who micromanaged her subordinate Commanders, did not respect her NCO leaders (including her CSM), failed to listen to SMEs pertaining to operations, training, intelligence, or any other topic. In sum, she was the definition of a toxic leader who claimed anyone who did not agree with her, "did not see the big picture." She focused on short term objectives versus long term goals and any failure was blamed on an identified junior leader. She decimated careers and her leadership resulted in premature retirements, discharges, and requests for transfer. Likewise, she had numerous IG complaints (I have no idea what the results were).

The difference between the two, were mostly based on leadership style. CW3 Hudson was a leader who was confident in himself and his Soldiers who was concerned with the welfare of his Soldiers and the accomplishment of the mission. LTC Xxxx was a leader who was solely interested in herself, her welfare, and her success regardless of the cost.

I used CW3 Hudson's name as he is retired and this is complimentary in nature to him. I did not use LTC Axx X. Xxxx's name as she is still serving.

Thank you,

SFC Joseph M. Finck USA (Ret)