Have you ever made major mistakes and owned up to them.

2014-01-26T02:30:13-05:00

As leaders we make mistake and sometimes a person is hurt. It was not our intention to do that but it did happen. Are you apt to apologize for those mistakes? Do you think by admitting a mistake you gain or lose stature in the eyes of those who work under you?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 2:47 AM

2014-01-26T02:47:31-05:00

This might be the hardest question ever asked? What do you feel?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 3:19 AM

2014-01-26T03:19:36-05:00

No? hmmmm

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 26 at 2014 5:06 AM

2014-01-26T05:06:42-05:00

While I have never made a mistake that resulted in an injury to another, I have made it a point to always own up to day-to-day shortcomings/issues that fell into my lane. It is an integrity issue. When in charge, be in charge. We as leaders are responsible for the things that go right in our units and also for what goes wrong. My usual response to the CSM when I was a 1SG with regards to shortcomings or issues in my Company were "Roger CSM, my responsibility, I will handle it."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 5:55 AM

2014-01-26T05:55:30-05:00

I've made mistakes that could have gotten people in trouble had I not owned up to them, not major mistakes or major trouble but I have forgotten to call a soldier on comp time for CQ to tell him about the next days formation, etc...and I've always owned up to it.

As for whether it raises or lowers my standing in my subordinates eyes, I'd hope they'd see it for what it is, a Man who is not impervious to mistakes but will take responsibility for his shortcomings. I'd hope it sets an example for them to follow.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 6:26 AM

2014-01-26T06:26:25-05:00

We are human and although we strive for perfection honest mistaKes can be made. as leaders we have to set the example, even if it means hey i messed up, but admitting it to those around you will let your Soldiers/peers/superiors know you can handel owning up to it. i cant stand anyone that tries to put off their mistakes on others. Its a big integrity issue im sure that is everywhere.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jan 27 at 2014 6:29 AM

2014-01-27T06:29:10-05:00

I think this discussion should be BOOMING because we sure have plenty of leaders who are quick to tell us what's wrong with the Army today and what makes a great leader. So here's one mistake I made that made me a better NCO.

My battle buddy and I went to the bazaar where we saw his soldier walking around without his head gear on. We were in an enclosed area but still technically outdoors. My friend firmly told his soldier to put his head gear on. I butted in and said “oh come on man, we’re at the bazaar, it’s not a big deal”. BAD SSG WOODS!

About 24 seconds later I realized 1. I undermined a fellow NCO in front of his soldier (which I was raised to NEVER do) 2. I was guilty of being “buddy buddy” with a soldier. That wasn’t my intent at all, however it came across as my friend being a jerk and me being “the nice NCO”.

That’s one mistake I made that I will never forget. I apologized and he knew I was sincere.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jan 27 at 2014 3:29 PM

2014-01-27T15:29:03-05:00

I had the opportunity to relieve a subordinate team leader several years ago. He had provided plenty of cause, but I declined instead taking the soft approach with the hope that my charm as a leader would reform somebody who was clearly a marginal performer and not a leader in any way into something more useful. Subsequently, his team was involved in a mishap with a civilian watercraft which resulted in personal injury. An outside independent investigation assigned 90 plus percent of the blame to the operator of the civilian watercraft, but the question was asked "why was this team where it was; doing what it was doing; instead of being on station doing their job?"

My boss set the example by accepting responsibility when our parent command demanded an answer so when the internal conversation started the table was set to for me to say "This guy works for me, and I knew he was a substandard leader prone to cutting corners. It's on me." I had to claim it. It was my failure and I had to own it. It didn't mean the fallout was easy to endure (or particularly helpful for my career), but it was a necessary personal growth opportunity. It has made subsequent failures (all much, much smaller and less serious in scope thank God) easier to claim.

Acknowledging our faults is far more important they calling attention to our successes.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 27 at 2014 8:40 PM

2014-01-27T20:40:34-05:00

I have made many mistakes during my career, any good leader will be the 1st to admit they have or they are not a true leader, because the only way you learn to grow and progress in your career via knowledge and experience is by learning from your mistakes, it is what makes you a better leader and allows you to teach and mentor your subordinates as well.

I have always been one to very quickly own up to errors on my part as not only a way for me to learn and better myself, but always to show my Soldiers that they can trust me to be honest and straight with them on everything by leading from the front, part of that is accepting responsibility for not only your actions but for things that could or should fall under your realm as a leader. I have many times taken the hits for my Soldiers shortcoming on certain taskings, because if my instructions had possibly been clearer or better enforced, the mistake that may have occurred wouldn't have. I have shown many of my junior NCOs over the years that if you can accept responsibility it not only makes you a better leader to your Soldiers, but also makes you look very good and reliable to your superiors as they have a much stronger trust in you to be honest and integrity driven in doing your job and will do your best to accomplish any mission to what is required and to the best of your abilities.

If you can't accept and own up to your mistakes, then you will be a piss poor leader in the end because no one from subordinate to peer to superior will trust you or have any faith in you at all, it is not always about the politics as many think it can be.

Response by 1SG Christopher Turk made Jan 28 at 2014 8:22 PM

2014-01-28T20:22:17-05:00

I have made many mistakes in my career. A few should have gotten me fired. I have always owned up to all of my mistakes or mishaps. I made one MAJOR mistake (without killing or injuring anyone) in my career (or at least it was to me), and I owned up to it. I had to take a hit for it, but everything eventually returned to normal. It motivated me to seek help and get well. If I did not make that mistake I would most likely would never have asked for help and things could have gone much, much worse. "This to Shall Pass"!!! I am glad I did own up to it. I came out with a clear conscious and maintained my career and integrity. I can sleep at night.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 22 at 2014 8:18 AM

2014-09-22T08:18:18-04:00

I can't think of a situation where it isn't better for anyone to own up to their mistakes. I think to Eisenhower and his pre-written failure letter for D-Day assuming all the blame on himself. That man was the epitome of a military politician. He wasn't in the trenches as a combat leader per se, but what an honorary organizational psychologist Ph.D! As for myself, I remain perfect. Just ask my mommy.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 8:24 AM

2014-09-22T08:24:07-04:00

Anytime I am aware I have made a mistake, I own it. If I need to offer apologies, then I seek out the person and apologize. Be confident in your decisions, be humble when you are wrong.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Sep 23 at 2014 1:28 PM

2014-09-23T13:28:42-04:00

Absolutely, I am known for it. It has also benefited me when someone tried to put BS on me with more rank than I. The brigade commander said, "If Sgt McCulley did that, he would tell me he did that."

My father, also a Soldier, raised me to believe that a man's word is his bond. Integrity can be one of the hardest virtues to maintain. Having a reputation for it likewise the same. However, that reputation can be destroyed in an instant.

I recall one time being called into a counseling for an "oops, oh shit" by my 1SG. When asked what I had to say for myself I laid it all out and how it is my duty to correct the issue. I basically chewed myself out. The 1SG, new in knowing me, was fully expecting the usual denials or shifting of blame that a 1SG generally sees in that situation. He was a bit dumbfounded for a minute.

I've also found with subordinates, especially Jr. Enlisted, admitting when you screw up fosters intense loyalty because they know you aren't going to throw them under the bus. Trust is a two way street and is the backbone of any team.