Describe the type of Manager/Individual that would get the very best work from you?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:35:52 -0400

What type of Manager/Individual/Boss would get the very best work you have to offer?

Describe what right looks like to you?

Understanding there is a difference between a Boss and a Leader - just describe the type individual you would want to work for if given a choice?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 21 at 2016 5:38 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:38:47 -0400

One that has been in the same position, so he , or she would know what it takes to perform the job, and what to expect.

Response by SPC David S. made Jul 21 at 2016 5:52 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:52:11 -0400

Fair, honest and gives me the resources needed to perform the tasks asked to perform. I'll do my job and then some.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2016 6:00 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:00:37 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs The manager that leaves me alone to do the job the way that it needs to be done. Recognition for doing outstanding work would also be nice.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Jul 21 at 2016 6:07 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:07:52 -0400

COL At one time i worked for a couple of Col's but in different duty stations. One was a crusty Col that would raise hell if you failed a inspection on a piece of equipment and chew your butt out. But he never carried it beyond that point. Never reminded you of it and always gve me a outstanding ER or APR when it was called that. And he would defend you if necessary. Hated to see him drive up but learned real fast how he was. The other ws about the same way. He took no bull and supported the 1st Sgt's in the wing. Both hard a nails but fair and took care of people. The first was a LG in the Wing in Hawaii, the second was the Vice Commander of the Missile Wing at Ellworths.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 21 at 2016 6:52 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:52:50 -0400

"Do everything you ask of those you command."
"Do more than is required of you."
"If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
"Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way. "
"No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair."
"Say what you mean and mean what you say."
"The leader must be an actor."
"The soldier is the army."
"There is only one type of discipline, perfect discipline."
"An Army is a team; lives, sleeps, eats, fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is a lot of crap."
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
I've focused my response on the military and did so by using some random quotes from General George Patton. Collectively, they seem to capture his management style, which overall seemed to have worked well for him. My favorites are the first and the last quotes that I provided. COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Jul 21 at 2016 8:30 PM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 20:30:09 -0400

I hate being micro-managed. I would have loved to work for Gen George S. Patton who famously said: "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 21 at 2016 8:45 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 20:45:45 -0400

Somebody with a strong work ethic; who respects superiors, peers and subordinates; consistently displays servant leadership; is willing to learn from whomever knows what they are doing well; and has a strong belief in training and empowering employees to learn COL Mikel J. Burroughs.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2016 10:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 22:16:03 -0400

The type of person that would get the best depends on their role as my leader. For example a direct first line person who demonstrates compassion, forgives honest mistakes, has the ability to speak out against what is wrong!

A higher level boss would have to demonstrate that the bottom line, mission, etc can be compatible with taken care of your work force.

Ultimately it's about talent management and creating a work place environment that understand if people are generally taken care, they produce better results.

Response by PFC Teresa Walker made Jul 21 at 2016 10:16 PM

PFC Teresa Walker — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 22:16:17 -0400

The main character trait in a boss or a leader that causes me to have the most respect for them, and always want to do my very best, is if they have humility.

Response by LTC Sonya Friday made Jul 22 at 2016 12:30 AM

LTC Sonya Friday — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 00:30:32 -0400

A leader who does not micro-manage

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2016 11:43 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:43:05 -0400

Fair, Firm, and consistent. One that allows me to innovate, and if I stray leads me back to task without unneeded drama, or anger.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Jul 23 at 2016 12:02 AM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 00:02:27 -0400

One that understands I don't need a boss.What I need is your vision.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 23 at 2016 1:22 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 01:22:24 -0400

As Senior Flex for the KC Metro, I work directly for the GM and I have worked for him for 13 years. He Loans me out to Understaffed Accts until they get up to snuff. He treats me as a Partner in getting the Mission Done. Longest I've ever worked for a Human Being and Think the World of My Boss.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Jul 23 at 2016 3:15 AM

Capt Michael Greene — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 03:15:02 -0400

I've had many bosses and many duties in many environments. This is what I've learned.

Depends on what kind of results you want from me. A smart, wise, patient, and trusting servant leader gets a lot from me with little effort. If you need a brand new project or program or a complex problem solved, just give me some area of responsibility and leave me alone, and I'll find all the resources I need, train myself up to world class level, and produce prize-winning results. A colonel who says "Take care of this, Mike," and occasionally listens to my weekly briefings will get my best, and we'll all be rewarded in the end.

On the other hand, if you need a bunch of mundane crap processed according to somebody else's arcane procedures to meet a meaningless goal by an arbitrary deadline, you'll need to check on my results every hour. I'm not proud of that; I've just learned that about myself over the years. If this is my job, any warm human who is assigned over me will get the same results. Expect small results from me, and I'll soldier on and do as I'm told, but without enthusiasm.

Wish it weren't so, but there it is.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Jul 28 at 2016 2:15 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 14:15:21 -0400

Sp4 Byron Skinner…This question in and of itself shows a major problem in the US Army..To much management and a spring lack of leadership from the E5 Sgt. to the Four Star Chief of Staff…Soldiers don't need management, the US Army is not a for profit organization, in fact it is just the opposite it works with in budgets…Military formations need leadership not management..IF an NCO or Officer doesn't know the difference he/she should seek a civilian occupation…In leadership I want to see a competent and aggressive leader who is also aware of looking out for his/her troopers first then themselves…I want a leader who when we are under fire is by my side and exposed him/herself to the same risks I'm taking…I don't want a bff or a buddy I want somebody who will order me to go when I don't want to go and be with me.

Response by SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates made Jul 29 at 2016 8:05 AM

SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 08:05:57 -0400

A boss that is willing to interact with me while I absorb the exact parameters of my job and authority, then lets me work within those parameters on my own, making decisions and organizing as I see fit. Once I fully learn the job, I need more challenge and the boss who gets my best work is one who will find ways to offer me such challenge by either adding additional projects or offering my service to other teams for specific operations. Above all, my best work comes through doing all this where it involves writing, organizing information, or creating a presentation for others based on gathering information.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 29 at 2016 8:11 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 08:11:10 -0400

When I worked at the Salmon River Lodge, my boss would come to me: Mikel, I need this, this, this, and this, done by this date. That was it. He didn't care if I worked 24hrs a day to get it done or wait to the last minute, just so long as it was done.
Me - I busted ass and got everything done asap so I had time for myself. Usually with my time off, I'd take a horse and mule, pack up in the back country for as long as I had time for. That was my reward.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Jul 31 at 2016 3:01 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 15:01:31 -0400

One who allows for autonomy and doesn't place bureaucracy in my way for the sake of looking good in front of their bosses. I prefer to work independently - don't mind group work; but I prefer to just get the mission and execute.

Response by LTC Jesse Edwards made Jul 31 at 2016 10:47 PM

LTC Jesse Edwards — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 22:47:26 -0400

i work best with someone who asks me questions. I don't need my boss to do what I think he/she should do. I do appreciate being heard out.

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Aug 1 at 2016 6:41 PM

SA Jim Arnold — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:41:15 -0400

The one that respects the work I do.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2016 7:56 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 19:56:00 -0400

I'd rather work for a Macro-Manager. One who acknowledges that I know what I'm doing, and lets me effectively complete the objective.

Response by Candy Alkaabi made Oct 19 at 2016 12:59 AM

Candy Alkaabi — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 00:59:21 -0400

If I was able to work I would like one that is willing to get in there and show me how things are done and not hover over me telling me what I am doing wrong. It is better to tell me what I am doing right so I feel like fixing what I did wrong on my own! Since I cannot work (I have disabilities that cause me not to and I am a stay at home mom) I write. I have many skills and I am not afraid to use them where I can!

Response by SPC Tony Means made Oct 22 at 2016 2:38 PM

SPC Tony Means — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 14:38:44 -0400

A straight shooter who doesn't pull punches and knows how to get out of his own way.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Jun 9 at 2018 5:56 AM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 05:56:45 -0400

The best manager ever in my eyes is one who is so organized he goes about the day coolly providing all the training, time and tools needed to do the job and then gets out of the way to allow it to be done without hovering