Do we put the same expectations on ourselves that we do others?

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 12:58:06 -0400

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 1:00 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:00:18 -0400

I try, but being human, sometimes I fall short. Like my mentor used to tell me, "you can not lie to the one in the mirror, he knows what is up".

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Apr 21 at 2016 2:55 PM

Cpl Jon Westbrook — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:55:11 -0400

That depends on the personality of the individual in question. All people are at least a little bit hypocritical, some are more than others and don't realize it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 3:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 15:21:16 -0400

Depends on when u ask me lol. Most of the time my expectations are lower for others than myself.

Response by CW3 Stephen Bacon made Apr 21 at 2016 3:23 PM

CW3 Stephen Bacon — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 15:23:02 -0400

Those would be "Do as I say" leaders and not "Do as I do" leaders.
I have kept a copy of the following poem in my wallet for probably 30 years, It's called the man in the glass:
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 21 at 2016 4:45 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:45:59 -0400

Its the same: act with pure intentions and do your job. An E-7 gave me the books to an account that had not been balanced in a year. I was pissed cause she did not do her job and I had to go back for a year's worth of transactions to balance the books.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Apr 21 at 2016 8:14 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 20:14:13 -0400

We are own worst critics. I'm not saying that is the correct answer being if you are ALREADY hard on yourself, you'll be TWICE the dickhead to everyone else under you. You have to be able to allow yourself to hold those high standards, and accept when you fall short as a means to grow, not pummel yourself into the ground. Doing so ONLY takes you and those under you for a LONG ride to nowhere fast.I think leading looking back should include leading yourself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2016 12:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 00:52:39 -0400

I have a great sense of responsibility towards my mission and l. I continually strive to be more knowledgeable in all aspects of my job and try to teach my Soldiers the right way to do things. I am hard on myself always. With that being said i always place more expectations on myself than i do others. Its how im wired.