Posted on Dec 29, 2016
How do you show leadership ability and potential if you have no one to lead?
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BLUF: I want to go to the Board, but I am being told that I must show NCO leadership ability before I'll be recommended.
Here's the big question (not whining, I am genuinely seeking advice here); how do you show leadership ability and potential if you have no one to lead -- and you get road-blocked when you try and cover down to display any of the ability to lead?
Here's the big question (not whining, I am genuinely seeking advice here); how do you show leadership ability and potential if you have no one to lead -- and you get road-blocked when you try and cover down to display any of the ability to lead?
Leadership
Training NCO
Soldiers
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 33
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That was always a hard one to explain to a jr Marine. SSG Fernando Caballero said it " act like an NCO" You are a Marine or Soldier 24/7. Be the leader and set the example even if you have no one reporting to you. Show willingness to improve in physical fitness, MOS knowledge, military and personal goals. You have to be able to follow leadership and lead yourself first.
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Your team is doing training all the time right? Talk with your NCOs, tell them you want to conduct some training. Write it up, get their input, and then execute. If you're in the field and you see one of your team mates having issues performing any sort of task, help them.. train them the right way to get it done to standard. You don't have to be in charge to show leadership, and being in charge doesn't automagically make you a leader. Leadership, and that patch on your chest (almost said tin on your shoulder lol.. dating myself there a little), aren't the same thing, nor are they exactly mutually inclusive. You're in a unit.. there will be soldiers coming into the unit who have less experience than you.. take the time to start mentoring them. Yes, your Chain of Command and NCO support channel can put an end to that, but they'll only do that after they see you trying to take that initiative. If you do platoon or squad pt, ask to conduct it some time.. be prepared to do that. Ask your NCO to help (there may be an over-reaching fitness routine or goal that you're not aware of.. so work with them.. they will mentor you in the process and set you up for success .. if they are leaders themselves).
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Be an "informal" leader. Continuously look for ways to improve yourself and provide a positive climate for others. Just because you don't have soldiers directly under your supervision doesn't mean you can't expand your sphere of influence and make positive contributions expected of an NCO.
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U can lead by taking charge. Seize the opportunity rather than wait. Ask question that get stuff done.
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MSG(P) (Join to see)
Also, everyone is a safety officer, policy enforcer, and factors encouragement. Also, study to show urself approved. I promise u that ranks doesn't make u a leader. If anything, it only give u more opportunity to be directly involved. If leadership was dertermined by ranks, then we would have a perfect body with no DUI, AWOL, SHARP CASES, ASSAULTS, PT/WEIGHT FAILURES,....But we don't. So by error n other means or by playing the minimum rules, get up there while others try hard n harder. Ur personality, relationship, n knowledge: I say knowledge, not education; makes u a leader. Yet, there r always room for improvement. Happy new year.
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It's not just having someone to lead. Leadership is also taking charge and carrying out the plan of the day. Do things without being told to do them.
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I started working on subcourses and professional development when I was an E-2/E-3. By the time I made SP4 I was the best operator in my section, knowing not only my mission but those of adjacent sections. I filled in whenever and wherever I was needed. I participated in almost every intramural sports opportunity that came along. I volunteered to serve on barracks and mess hall advisory committees.
Put your self out there and become the go-to guy for whatever comes along. The right people will notice!
Put your self out there and become the go-to guy for whatever comes along. The right people will notice!
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I know I've been retired for almost 7 yrs but a soldier has to be counseled on why they are not going to the board (that month) and the actions you should take are listed on the counseling. In other words how are you going to get to the board if suggestions and examples are not given to you during the counseling? If the leader has not given this advice to you then there may be a problem with the leaders method of teaching, training and leading techniques. No disrespect to the NCO Corps Just my opinion. LEAD THE WAY!!!
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SSG Duane Tyler
SPC (Join to see)
You can start honing your leadership skill too. Remember, Officer's get promoted because of YOUR ACTIONS. So leadership is a two way street. Be a SME at what you do so that leaders can come to you because they value your opinions too. Nothing like the Deputy CDR of Spt (1 Star) for 25ID Bypass the DISCOM/BDE CDR, BN CDR and Shop Officer and comes straight to see little ole me at my Electronic Maintenance shop for my opinion. The phones were ringing off the hook and the rest of the command finally shows up looking dumbfounded. It's a great feeling and it led to bigger and better things for me. So read below and start to implement this in your life as if you are an NCO. Why not? You are already performing NCO tasks anyway.
Mentoring can help leaders at any stage in their career develop valuable work, life and people skills, and grow their businesses, but it can be just as transformative for the mentors themselves. By connecting and coaching with a mentee, mentors can uncover deeper insights on life and leadership by embracing the role.
So what makes a great mentor? We asked seven members of Young Presidents’ Organization to share their wisdom.
1. Create a safe space.
As with all partnerships, mentoring only succeeds if both parties work at it, but it helps if the mentor makes it easy for the mentee to drive the process and achieve objectives. The best mentors learn to listen, help the mentees think for themselves and create the space for this to happen.
2. Get to know your mentee.
A great mentor takes the time to learn about the mentee’s desires, skills and shortcomings to better help the mentee chart a path for success.
3. Share your experience.
Mentorship is a one-on-one deeper forum experience where the shared experiences are the keys to a higher level of self-awareness.
4. Be inquisitive.
Asking the right questions helps to focus on the real issues. A mentor needs to try and separate the noise from the key issues.
5. Create a life strategy.
When coaching people on their careers, I focus on six elements: passion, lifestyle, values, economics, skill and demand. Thinking strategically about each of these elements lets you create a framework for a solid career map.
6. Be a storyteller.
Effective mentors do not offer specific advice unless requested. Instead, we relate relevant experiences of our own that may help the mentee evaluate his/her issue better.
7. Park your ego.
By opening yourself up to being vulnerable and telling the stories of when you were not your own finest ambassador, you might just create the proper learning for your mentee.
You can start honing your leadership skill too. Remember, Officer's get promoted because of YOUR ACTIONS. So leadership is a two way street. Be a SME at what you do so that leaders can come to you because they value your opinions too. Nothing like the Deputy CDR of Spt (1 Star) for 25ID Bypass the DISCOM/BDE CDR, BN CDR and Shop Officer and comes straight to see little ole me at my Electronic Maintenance shop for my opinion. The phones were ringing off the hook and the rest of the command finally shows up looking dumbfounded. It's a great feeling and it led to bigger and better things for me. So read below and start to implement this in your life as if you are an NCO. Why not? You are already performing NCO tasks anyway.
Mentoring can help leaders at any stage in their career develop valuable work, life and people skills, and grow their businesses, but it can be just as transformative for the mentors themselves. By connecting and coaching with a mentee, mentors can uncover deeper insights on life and leadership by embracing the role.
So what makes a great mentor? We asked seven members of Young Presidents’ Organization to share their wisdom.
1. Create a safe space.
As with all partnerships, mentoring only succeeds if both parties work at it, but it helps if the mentor makes it easy for the mentee to drive the process and achieve objectives. The best mentors learn to listen, help the mentees think for themselves and create the space for this to happen.
2. Get to know your mentee.
A great mentor takes the time to learn about the mentee’s desires, skills and shortcomings to better help the mentee chart a path for success.
3. Share your experience.
Mentorship is a one-on-one deeper forum experience where the shared experiences are the keys to a higher level of self-awareness.
4. Be inquisitive.
Asking the right questions helps to focus on the real issues. A mentor needs to try and separate the noise from the key issues.
5. Create a life strategy.
When coaching people on their careers, I focus on six elements: passion, lifestyle, values, economics, skill and demand. Thinking strategically about each of these elements lets you create a framework for a solid career map.
6. Be a storyteller.
Effective mentors do not offer specific advice unless requested. Instead, we relate relevant experiences of our own that may help the mentee evaluate his/her issue better.
7. Park your ego.
By opening yourself up to being vulnerable and telling the stories of when you were not your own finest ambassador, you might just create the proper learning for your mentee.
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SSG Lee Bostick
Out-freakin standing response right here and solid advice, I have read thru a lot of good suggestions but it had taken a long time to reach this number one solid given set of advice..... YOUR leadership should be guiding you and molding you, at the same point you need to seek that guidance and learn to find the good traits in your leaders and use that for your kit, also learn the bad things about your leaders and learn how not to be.... you are in the crucial stage between regular grunt and NCO, it is actually a really good place if you open your mind and take all angles of approach to you and your job, you can get those small things from your peers and lower ranks that they absolutely have issues seeing in other leaders and also and work to not be that leader. Strive to be the best leader possible, remember, NCO's - the backbone.
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SPC (Join to see)
SSG Duane Tyler, outstanding response! I have this screen-shotted and posted in my office now. That definitely outlines all the things that I haven't been told yet about how to really grow and learn the craft of a Leader. Thank you so much!
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SPC (Join to see) being and NCO is not only about leading Soldiers. You can show your potential by volunteering to be put in charge of ammo point on an M16 range for example. You can also put that extra attention that might be expected of an NCO on some briefing or product that you have to create. Give a class to your peers for STT without being told to do so. Ask for more responsibilities, some additional duties. The list is almost endless, you just have to go for it
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Well if you had multiple personalities you could establish a dominant one to lead the others like they do in the Air Force to get leadership experience...........just kidding everyone. :)
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