Empowering young leaders: "Take a Day Off"

2015-03-26T13:32:01-04:00

On my second deployment with 3/1 I met SgtMaj Island. He was a little different than my first SgtMaj. More "school circle" when it came to leadership.

One of the lessons he gave was on empowering young leaders (Corporals & Sergeants). Here is what I remember.

"If you have a Marine that is doing a good job, reward them. If they show up for formation, and they look good, let them know. If they are locked on let them know. One of the best ways you can do that, is to give them a day off."

"Don't do it on a Monday or a Friday, or when there is already an extended Liberty, because there are rules about that. But there's nothing wrong with letting someone have a day to themselves to take care of things. Just to unwind."

"Know the training schedule. Know what has to get done. And know if you can be without someone for the day. If so, cut someone loose. Make it a reward. Uncommon, but not rare."

"It will make others strive to do better. It sets up a healthy competition to do well, especially when your guys see that you are being fair about it."

Now, ignoring the reward aspect of this, I liked it philosophically, and conceptually because it set NCOs up for success or Failure on their own Merits. It gave them ownership.

I invite your opinions.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 2:10 PM

2015-03-26T14:10:58-04:00

Positive reinforcement breeds positive competition. As long as it doesn't get abused, I like the idea.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 2:14 PM

2015-03-26T14:14:30-04:00

I got an extra day of libo in Singapore for blowing my EAWS board out of the water. I ended up volunteering to take someone else's duty day because my bank account couldn't handle it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-03-26T14:38:57-04:00

Most important thing to a young Soldier, Marine, Airmen etc. is their time, reward with free time and corrective action with taking time have positive effects. As long as it is done fairly and accurately it will pay dividends in the discipline in any size unit!

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 26 at 2015 3:06 PM

2015-03-26T15:06:44-04:00

Four thumbs up. I do that for my Drill Sergeants and when they come back, they return cocked, locked and ready to rock. THAT's what I'm talking about!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 4:39 PM

2015-03-26T16:39:36-04:00

It's an excellent idea.

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Mar 26 at 2015 4:43 PM

2015-03-26T16:43:13-04:00

Used the same concept myself with my OIC's permission. Boosted performance and raised morale.
The next NCOIC, after I moved up to a different position, stopped the practice and morale and performance fell through the floor. He had no reward system, not even "good job" and did not understand why his Airmen did not perform as well as they did before he got there.
These same Airmen went back to performing in an outstanding manner when he left and a new NCOIC took over and re-instituted the perks for superior performance program.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 9:06 PM

2015-04-13T21:06:21-04:00

I voted for good idea, and I agree that it is. However in certain units some leaders decisions are always questioned and looked down upon. Some NCO's get chewed out for trying to take care of Soldier's

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-04-13T21:36:25-04:00

I voted "Good Idea," Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS, but only because you didn't give an option for GREAT IDEA!!! I'm with sgtMaj Island on this. Time off is a great reward! It costs just about nothing. There are no forms to fill out. And who doesn't appreciate a day - or even a few hours - off? I tried to do that throughout my career when I was in a position to make the call, and I think Soldiers appreciated it.

Response by SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS made Apr 14 at 2015 7:54 AM

2015-04-14T07:54:29-04:00

CW5 Scott Montgomery, time is all military members most valued treasure. It was for me.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Apr 14 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-04-14T13:25:21-04:00

I have no issues with this. Rewarding good behavior is always a good way to get a repeat of that good behavior. Besides the military is going to get it's time out of you one way or another, giving time back is only fair. That is why we are paid by salary and not by the hour.