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The military is kind of a melting pot for different types of people, and we don't always get along. And when conversation fails, does taking the problem "to the woodline" work to find a common ground. I've been to the woodline before and walked away with a better understanding and a finished dispute. But what do you think, RallyPoint? Can taking your disagreements to the woodline still end the problem, or is this too old-fashioned to be effective anymore?
Problem Solving
Conflict
Diversity
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 5
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I think it works at a certain level. As you get older and more experienced in leadership you develop better tools. As they say, "to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail".
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SPC (Join to see)
I'll concede that, and counter with the question of: "what level does it stop being effective?" I have seen Senior and Junior leaders alike utilize the woodline to resolve their interpersonal conflicts.
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It’s a tool, and like all tools, it will work for some jobs, and fail miserably for others. For example,
Is the M2 still effective? Heck yes, for solving some problems, it certainly can be. But I wouldn’t want to try and clear a room with it.
Is the M4 still effective? Heck yes, for solving some problems, it certainly can be. But I wouldn’t want it attached to the bottom of an A-10.
Woodline problem solving is just a tool. Good leaders know how, when and where its’ use is appropriate. The best leaders hopefully never have to take it out of the toolbox.
Is the M2 still effective? Heck yes, for solving some problems, it certainly can be. But I wouldn’t want to try and clear a room with it.
Is the M4 still effective? Heck yes, for solving some problems, it certainly can be. But I wouldn’t want it attached to the bottom of an A-10.
Woodline problem solving is just a tool. Good leaders know how, when and where its’ use is appropriate. The best leaders hopefully never have to take it out of the toolbox.
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I should add, when I was a SP4 in Germany we were running PT in formation one morning. The guy behind me at the end of the formation kept stepping on my shoes because he was not willing to run in step. The NCOs there were pretty lax and so this continued. Periodically I would turn and tell him to get the F off my feet but he just kind of dismissed it. I was ready to fight, lol. I kept in contact with my room mate after I PCS'ed to Panama and we would write letters to each other now and then. One time he wrote and said do you remember that guy named Shabazz? The guy who was stepping on your shoes? Well it turns out that he is the USAREUR heavyweight kickboxing champion! So yeah, mutual respect is probably your best bet in most cases.
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