How does the Air Force use interpersonal communication between the Supervisor and Subordinate?

2016-06-28T20:19:42-04:00

I have worked with Airmen in a Joint environment. What I would like to know is how do Airmen communicate during the daily work day? Is there just the expectation to quietly do your job alone or does the Supervisor ensure to Train, Counsel and Mentor their Airmen?

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 8:30 PM

2016-06-28T20:30:05-04:00

A good supervisor will do those things in your last sentence. However, we do take a big boy approach where you are trained and expected to be competent in your job. That does not mean that they are just left alone. They do not usually have a supervisor hovering over them. They are expected to be able to perform the basic functions with minimal supervision.

Supervisors do take notice and counsel as necessary.

Response by MSgt Eric Roseberry made Jun 28 at 2016 8:44 PM

2016-06-28T20:44:31-04:00

A good supervisor will seek to understand their Airmen, understand what motivates them as individuals, then gives them the guidance needed to assure mission accomplishment.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jun 29 at 2016 1:53 AM

2016-06-29T01:53:26-04:00

This is something that is going to vary from unit to unit. Most places I have worked as a weather forecaster have been fairly relaxed with NCOs and Officers coming out and visiting with everyone like you would at most civilian work places. Other units may take things more seriously, quietly working with leadership only really talking with the airmen to discuss work related items.

Personally I like the way we do it where I've been more because it makes leadership far more approachable and gives a sense of trustworthiness that can only serve to better the communication between everyone.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 1:55 AM

2016-06-29T01:55:56-04:00

In the USAF, we tend to give our Airmen the guidance of what needs to be done and the parameters in which they need to do it. Then, we let them do it as they see fit within those parameters. If they need further guidance, they can seek it. If we see they need further guidance, we give it. Good supervisors regularly interact with their Airmen and train, counsel, and mentor them, but not necessarily all of the above on a daily basis. We depend on our Airmen to be self-starters. Airmen who require daily training/counseling/mentoring usually don't make it too far.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 8:20 AM

2016-06-29T08:20:00-04:00

Some of the other comments have said I don't know how other do it but we at wherever they work do it this way, and that's pretty much how the Air Force handles quite a few things. Communication will vary from base to unit to supervisor preferences. Jobs that require multiple people to do each thing probably have more communication than jobs where you each do your own piece. In general however when Airmen finish Tech school (AIT for Army) they should get to their first assignment as a 3 level and should be training with 5's and 7's to become qualified as a 5 level. Once they are a 5 level then they should be able to hold their own in their job and don't need as much oversight. I know the shops I have been in also always have morning meetings to know who is doing what and who they can go to for help if they need to.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 1:10 AM

2016-06-30T01:10:48-04:00

Interpersonal Communication is a 25-cent word for talking and listening. I suspect the answer to the question should be fairly well understood.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Jul 19 at 2016 10:50 AM

2016-07-19T10:50:48-04:00

Up to each individual regardless of service/gender/rank. Clear, concise, effective communication. All ranks are responsible for guiding, training, mentoring each other formally or informally. Need to to make certain we are all capable of providing a nurturing enviornment. Not one of us are the smartest person in the room. ATSO>Ability to Survive and Operate in any environment