How important is it for military leaders to be able to lead effectively through email?

2016-02-17T18:48:44-05:00

Face-to-face leadership is often looked at as the ideal way to motivate, train, and inspire teams and subordinates in the military. And I agree. But what about when your team is halfway around the world, and you don't have the luxury of seeing them face-to-face more than 1-2 times per year? What happens when IOT be an effective military leader, you literally HAVE TO be able to lead well via email?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-02-17T18:56:37-05:00

Email is one of many communications methods, and in order to lead, you have to communicate.

Communicating via email presents its own challenges;
* It's easy to read emotional intent in an email that isn't there. Curt emails can be perceived as disrespectful.
* Depending on your typing and grammar skills, you may come off less intelligent than you are.
* Emailing too frequently and starting long email chains that become unreadable conversations is never regarded well.
* When to use CC vs. BCC. (Answer is, for the latter - almost never)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 6:57 PM

2016-02-17T18:57:32-05:00

I would argue that you should add another answer to the survey. Slightly important with intent conveyed through face to face interaction by trusted subordinates. I say this because I will not see my SR at all during this rating period and 6 months without face to face interaction with my rater, but I still know what the SR intent is based off limited (once per month, maybe) emails and that of other subordinate leaders. I also know what my raters intent is based off phone calls and a few emails per week.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 6:59 PM

2016-02-17T18:59:31-05:00

Very interesting discussion, Sir. This is a challenge for many aspects of leadership. We, as primates, have evolved to take in micro-cues and expressions that occur during face-to-face interaction that are critical, in my opinion, to effective communication.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 17 at 2016 7:02 PM

2016-02-17T19:02:53-05:00

The ability to communicate effective is an essential leadership skill. Being able to communicate effectively in a medium which doesn't convey all of the normal expressions available becomes hugely important as technology advances.

The concept of Poe's Law should be understood by leaders at all levels. Information in written form does not convey emotion the same way that information presented in person does.

That combined with the idea that as we move farther up the chain, we are further separated from those below us, which means that clear and concise orders MUST be relayed in written media, lest we encounter the "telephone game." This hearkens back to the concept of "Napoleon's Corporal" where the great general ensured that if his corporal could not understand his operations order "as written" then how could he hope for his senior staff to?

In other words, this is NOT a new concept.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 17 at 2016 7:04 PM

2016-02-17T19:04:49-05:00

CPT Aaron Kletzing I think military leaders should be able to convey information through email efficiently and accurately. However leadership is best displayed in person or via "phone" conversations. Guidance can certainly be provided long distance to those who are trustworthy and accountable. Long distance communication requires that subordinates can think and respond on their feet and understand the intent of the operation or mission.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 17 at 2016 7:05 PM

2016-02-17T19:05:21-05:00

Email is a terrible way to manage any operation or lead people. I spent a lot of time teaching this valuable lesson to civilian firms. I believe the same rationale would apply to the military.
Email is a point-to-point communication media. How can anyone effectively manage the communications between two subordinates?
If email is used to manage an operation, those communications are an important record of that operation. So what happens when a person leaves the command and their email is erased or archived? Does their replacement have to dig through it to figure out what's going on?
I could name countless other reasons but those two should illustrate the problem. Operations are step-by-step processes that leaders and managers must monitor to insure compliance with mission requirements and binding procedures and legal requirements. Collaboration media must provide a simple and fool-proof system to oversight and permanent records to be kept. Email doesn't meet any of these needs.
Now, if you were to ask "Do leaders have to be able to communicate effective regardless of the medium" I would agree without reservation, but the question doesn't really have to be asked, does it?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 7:09 PM

2016-02-17T19:09:19-05:00

I'm on the fence with this one. Emails are good to get the info out more quickly, but more and more I see emails, VTC's, conference calls etc taking away from actually sitting down and having a face to face meeting. How hard is it to schedule a 1 hr meeting with all participants needed present?

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 7:12 PM

2016-02-17T19:12:36-05:00

As we move more and more into technology it has become more and more important for leaders to find an effective way of communicating with younger troops. Also, as we scale down our size of the military it causes the troops to be more separated and communication is limited to emails.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 17 at 2016 7:14 PM

2016-02-17T19:14:18-05:00

In my opinion you cannot lead through email, you manage. Leadership is personal in nature and you need to see someone in person so they know you give a damn about them.

Edit: The original question I believe was edited. You can manage from your laptop via email or VTC to your dispersed unit, but the subordinate leaders on the ground are the one's actually leading. It doesn't make your job any less important, but by my personal definition sending emails does not constitute leadership.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 17 at 2016 7:21 PM

2016-02-17T19:21:29-05:00

The onus is on the leader to give good and simple instructions. There has to be lots of trust, but open up a dialogue with the operational chain of command to get feedback on the remote team's performance.

Response by Capt Lance Gallardo made Feb 17 at 2016 7:40 PM

2016-02-17T19:40:37-05:00

Using email correctly in the US Military, is so important in the Marine Corps, it is now part of the Phase I training of New Officers at the Basic School's BOC Course, under "Military Correspondence" training classes and Instruction Manuals:

Electronic Mail
In today’s computer driven age, email has become an increasingly popular form of communication. Several important points to remember about sending emails are:
• Email should never take the place of a phone call
when the opportunity exists.
• Never counsel via email.
• Do not chastise via email.
• Never send email when you are angry.
• Vital information—do not rely on email.
• Email sent does not equal email received.
• Follow-up important email with a phone call.
• Don’t put it in email if you do not want everyone to
see it.
• Do not send personal information over email.
• Be respectful in tone.
See SECNAV M-5216.5, Chapter 4.
From: TBS MATERIALS PHASE I TRAINING:MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE
B020069XQ
STUDENT HANDOUT found online here:

http://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=emR9gWc4Xn0%3d&tabid=23571&portalid=207&mid=57768

o·1¿isZíKe/dFÇÐØW3æúôñeQ§ÝdÜ]bÂK!)6»{LÑTnqïuãåIËÏëÕá=$k~ìrGWÉèÚvÉYå3èºÚÎ0}aÖT-x*lÛzÁ^ïæ~fL'@øk7UÞèÂá;ñND$SñWûIéH5T\ÜêçÔgÃÛ:ËÑîíI0.]aFnÆÙÞ55

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 17 at 2016 7:50 PM

2016-02-17T19:50:27-05:00

Be clear, concise, proper grammar and spelling. Depending on importance, follow up with a phone call if possible.

Nothing beats face to face interaction though.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 17 at 2016 7:53 PM

2016-02-17T19:53:44-05:00

I really don't like when the Army uses e-mail to try to effectively manage its personnel, because you certainly can't lead Soldiers from behind a computer screen. We have leaders that can't communicate via writing and as SM's, we are not allowed to use the, "I didn't understand what you meant in your e-mail." So in the end, we have leaders not doing their jobs, either taking complete credit for completion or passing the buck it the SM's don't complete the mission.
I suppose that if you have SM's far away, you are forced to use e-mail and phone to ensure Soldiers understand what the mission is and that it gets accomplished. Leading in person is still the best way to be a leader.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 17 at 2016 8:12 PM

2016-02-17T20:12:41-05:00

CPT Aaron Kletzing I may be dating myself, but a leader can't lead thru email. Email is a tool, but not a way lead. Leadership is all about personal relationships.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Feb 17 at 2016 8:48 PM

2016-02-17T20:48:23-05:00

Knowing how to communicate effectively in writing is critical to leadership at all levels. Being able to string a series of words and phrases into coherent thought on paper is vital in making sure your desires are clearly understood by those both above and below your level.

Now, that being said... For the love of all things Holy, PLEASE get off your gluteus maximus and go talk to your troops face-to-face!! Do NOT be the asshat that will send an E-mail to the person sitting at the next desk beside you. Sending a message to an individual half way around the globe is one thing. Sending it to a person sitting 10 feet away is just pathetic IMO.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Feb 17 at 2016 8:55 PM

2016-02-17T20:55:45-05:00

CPT Kietzing, I have both a cilivan position, and a military one, or duel role, and was re-activated and stand by to go AFGAN or Syria, connecting with others and being on a Virtual team with hundreds in very important in today's media landscape.

HP, Inc. And Hewlett Packard Ent. Does and handle the Navy Contract and also is the company that replaced to 1st White House with HCA or Health Care role throughout this country, so it's a MUST HAVE!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 10:21 PM

2016-02-17T22:21:38-05:00

If you only see this person once or twice a year how are you rating them on a OER/NCOER? If you don't rate/senior rate them how are you their leader?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 11:43 PM

2016-02-17T23:43:30-05:00

I thought this was a joke at first but this does happen really. Many times we see smaller elements operating away from their parent units. It is something that we have to face whether we like it our not but I wouldn't just use email. I would various other means to establish communications with them. Video Chatting may not be the same as a face to face but it is pretty good compared to just sending emails. Even a phone call would do wonders. My major concern would be how effective can you monitor the welfare of your soldiers via email. You do the best you can but I hope using email to lead wouldn't be seen as a limitation but more of an opportunity to find alternative methods to maintain you cohesion with your soldiers.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 4:26 AM

2016-02-18T04:26:46-05:00

If we as leaders are to "provide purpose, direction, and motivation..." per the Army's definition, only two of those are possible via email; it is extremely challenging, if not impossible, to motivate via email.

It is, however, the perfect medium to convey purpose and direction within minutes to your audience, making it an invaluable tool to leaders everywhere, especially those geographically separated from their elements.

How important is using email to conduct the leadership process? It is a critical skill set, but only one skill of many needed to lead, and it should not, in my opinion, be used as a substitute for face to face when possible.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 6:48 AM

2016-02-18T06:48:45-05:00

Being in the Guard the leaders I have personal relationships are the best ones.

They're the ones that call & text you outside of drill but still draw the fine line that you all are NOT buddy buddy during duty.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 9:00 AM

2016-02-18T09:00:11-05:00

Email is just one aspect of maintaining proper dialogue/communication with your superior or subordinates - depending which shoe you're wearing at the time. In my case, I spent 9 months away from home station in West Africa. It was me and my three NCOs, as my company commander/1SG were back at home station, other teams were scattered in other countries. I had dialogue with my leadership weekly (sometimes more than just once - depending on the situation), and that communication consisted of emails, phone calls and VTCs. I wasn't even in a direct command relationship with my actual unit - as I was opcon and eventually tacon to our higher HQ in Germany. It happens - especially in the SF/CA/PO world within the Army.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 18 at 2016 9:55 AM

2016-02-18T09:55:07-05:00

You can COMMUNICATE effectively (or not) through email. That's important. But that's not leadership.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 10:00 AM

2016-02-18T10:00:44-05:00

You can't be a leader of presence via e-mail. You have to get out and bee with the Soldiers you are supposed to be leading. E-mail is a great tool to use to convey information, but nothing beats a face to face conversation where purpose, intent and endstate are discussed.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 10:19 AM

2016-02-18T10:19:08-05:00

Obviously the best way to lead Soldiers is with face to face leadership. But in todays Military especially in the Reserves and National Guard you don't get that face to face time that is required to have a huge affect. Communication is key whether it is face to face or through email. You need to be able to provide clear directions in either case. With electronic correspondence you need to be especially careful with your words because you can't use a tone of voice or sarcasm to express your point. Words can be easily misconstrued if not communicated effectively.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Feb 18 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-02-18T12:51:29-05:00

Good luck. Email is a means of Communication and no matter how effective it can be, it should never be confused with Leadership. When done correctly, you can use email to effectively communicate to a large number of personnel at different locations. However, email is a passive means of communication, with delayed feedback, and there is no way for the sender to ensure the recipient actually understands what he or she is being asked or told to do. It's effectiveness is also dependant on the literacy level of both the sender and receiver.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Feb 18 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-02-18T14:18:22-05:00

I honestly don't believe that you can lead through email. If your team is half way around the world then in my opinion its no longer your team, its someone else's team and they are leading them.
Email is a great tool for communicating information but email can also be unavailable in certain areas and times. For a unit on patrol how are you doing to communicate through email? Walking through the streets or Ramadi I doubt very much that the squad has the time or luxury of looking at emails.
If it ever comes down to leading through email then we are going to be lost.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Feb 19 at 2016 11:46 PM

2016-02-19T23:46:48-05:00

I obviously have not been in a leadership position in the military but I have been in many other areas of life. Email should never take the place of direct contact and interaction. An Email is only an option when there is no other way. In my opinion, too many in leadership positions use electronic communication not because it is the only option but because it is the easiest option for them. Easy is not the route a leader should take. A leader should take the route that will have the biggest impact on those they are leading.