How to impress superiors without being a brown noser?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:15:03 -0400

I want to impress my superiors and show them I have the drive and motivation to complete my job and then some, but the way my colleagues have put it is that I am being a brown noser by always doing extra work. What do I do?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 4:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:19:14 -0400

A lot of people will present this as brown nosing, but a lot of people are lazy. The best thing you can do is the job you are assigned to the best of your ability. The ones that spend the extra time doing the job right are often pulled out to do more work, and when it comes to promotion you'll be selected only half as many times as what you expect. You should always want to do the best you can, as there is a greater cause of more then you can see.
So never let those people hold you back, and after a while those individuals will leave you alone in the work environment. Eventually they will part ways with the military or clog up the system. You mission is to find a way to see your ways and follow them, as a good leader would.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 19 at 2014 4:20 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:20:23 -0400

Ignore them. Brown noser is what lazy people call achievers...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 4:35 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:35:10 -0400

Working hard is not brown-nosing.

This is brown-nosing:
"What kind of sycophant [brown-noser]are you." -Cruella DeVil
"What kind of sycophant would you like me to be?" -Assistant

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 19 at 2014 4:36 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:36:45 -0400

Sounds like you're doing everything right and receiving attention already. If your coworkers are noticing, your superiors are noticing as well. Don't let the lazy ones drag you down to their level; keep up the good work!

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 19 at 2014 4:38 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:38:21 -0400

The way I look at it is do what you need to do to get ahead. If you do the work that is required and then some who is your dupervisor going to think about when Sailor of the Qaurter or something like that comes up. You can sink back and just go with the flow but that isn't going to get you ahead.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made May 19 at 2014 4:43 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:43:42 -0400

Keep doing extra work and busting your butt. If brown nosing leads to success, more rank, more rewards, higher pay, etc then why would you not want to "brown nose" as they say?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 4:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:48:20 -0400

Keep doing what you are doing!!! If you don't have people envious of you, then you probably are performing on the same acceptable level that they are. Some people are incapable of accepting the fact that some of us want to do more than the minimum. In the end your hard work does not make them look bad, it is their lack of motivation to keep up with you that makes them look bad.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 19 at 2014 5:10 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Mon, 19 May 2014 17:10:02 -0400

My advice is FIDO "something It, Drive On!"

I agree with SFC Jolly and SSG Hasbun. Give your job everything you have, do the best job you can, prepare yourself for the next job. Let your leaders know that you have drive. Volunteer when it makes sense (and you can without burnout).

Remember the people who displayed a lack of drive on your way up. In 5-6 years, you will be having to counsel them on their performance. ;-)

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 5:36 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 17:36:45 -0400

Work hard, be genuine, be yourself... Don't let the opinions of others make you change what you do, especially because they call you a brown noser... It's probably because you posses the qualities that they wish they had.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 7:30 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 19:30:14 -0400

Just continue having drive and motivation. Your colleagues are noticing you being motivated, so your superiors are seeing it too. Don't fall for the peer pressure of your colleagues and stop doing your best because they are trying to put a stigma on going above and beyond. Even help your colleagues when you see they need help with something they are working on. That will also help them understand that you doing your best is who you are and not someone who just wants recognition for awards. It will take time for them to understand who you are, so don't give up.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 7:49 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 19:49:43 -0400

I've written quite a few letters for my tech's grad school applications. The only thing needed to impress me is to do your job.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 10:19 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 22:19:15 -0400

Continue to do your job to the best of your ability. One of the biggest kickers is to ensure that you do not point out to your superiors what you were doing, because then it just looks like you were saying look at me look at me. In my opinion that is what a brown noser is.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made May 19 at 2014 10:28 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Mon, 19 May 2014 22:28:23 -0400

Transfer into the Army...Where you are judged on your performance, in other words you can go how far and as fast as you want ot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2014 4:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 May 2014 04:31:05 -0400

First things first...learn the difference between colleagues and peers. Colleagues work on the same type of task(s) as you do. Peers work at the same level as you do. It matters not what colleagues say and think unless you can genuinely call them peers. Just ask yourself...when was the last time you saw or heard of a hater hating on someone that wasn't successful? As long as you're not rolling over someone else to achieve your goals let those haters hate. They have to earn a paycheck some how. Just let all that "hater-ade" keep you hydrated as you do your thing!

One other thing...don't settle for only impressing your superiors, but also ensure you continue to impress yourself. You find out, if you haven't already, that sometimes you will be your biggest supporter and fan.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 10:45 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 22:45:58 -0400

There is one simple truth about "brown nosers" and that's they're lazy. If you look good because you work hard great! That is not "brown nosing." If you are trying to look good and not putting forth any effort, you are "brown nosing." This will tend to go away once you go to prototype and then your first assignment. Are you a "sub vol" or do you plan on going to a carrier?

Response by SGT(P) Daniel Rindone made Jun 3 at 2014 11:52 AM

SGT(P) Daniel Rindone — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:52:53 -0400

Being on the same level that you are, I just showed up to my unit for the first time and was worried about the impression I would make as well. The best advice really is to know your job, and know it well. If you can do what you're meant to do at the best of your ability, then there really isn't much more that the CoC can ask of you. Be able to spot the little opportunities where you're able to go above and beyond and do it because you want to, not because you're trying to earn something. Your drive should be intrinsic, not based on rewards. If you wake up focused on being the best at what you do that day, then you can't go wrong.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2014 12:28 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:28:38 -0400

First off, fuck what they say. You are trying to get through your training. "Brown nosing" doesn't necessarily get you through that, but being very technically knowledgeable does. Pick their brains, stay late (but not too much, being well rested helps), work your hardest, and you will kick ass. Don't worry about what they think, just keep climbing up to the top. I don't know if you're still an MMFN because you got busted down, or if you simply did not update your account on here, but from what they are thinking about you, you're on the right track, keep it up.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 11:34 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 23:34:22 -0400

Treat the Navy like a civilian job in the sense you need to come to work to work. Let the quality of your work speak for itself, seek a quality mentor and utilize them. Don't be afraid to take on new responsibilities. Document your man hours of maintenance, qualifications and achievements to assist in providing actual analytical data for your eval. If you act like you don't care about the direction of your career no one else will, and last but not least never let on your intention is to separate especially around eval time.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 11 at 2014 11:20 AM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:20:22 -0400

Don't be first, don't be last, and never volunteer.

If you want to adopt this "conscript" mindset and serve out an uneventful tour, stop reading now. If you want to move forward and up, the only thing in that sentence you should take to heart is "Don't be last".
Do your best EVERY time to be first. Volunteer for everything you can. The harder it is, the better. If others think this makes you a "brown noser" I have news for them. It doesn't. (Don't offer to polish your Chief's shoes...that does). This makes you a go-getter, and you will eventually be noticed for it. Who cares what they think anyway? When their four years is up, they will be gone anyway. Where will you be? Stuck where you are if you listened to them. Moving up, and on to bigger and better things if you take them with a grain of salt and a smile.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 11:45 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:45:24 -0400

I think a lot of the answers have already been provided here. I think you've got some ambition going there - that's a good thing. Keeping your perspective is also important. Wanting to impress your superiors just to impress - sorta short sighted. Have a goal. You may already have one - but you didn't state it in your quest for answers. You should actually have at least 3 seperate goals professionally - short term, middle term and long term. The short term one is uaually the one the Navy puts in front of you - either a technical proficiency or a promotion. Take the technical proficiency first, because it will take the greatest time and have the greatest affect on your promotion, especially at your current paygrade. For the promotion - knock out all the online training required long before the deadlines. I don't know if it's still possible, but I had completed all the mandatory online/paperwork training for my potential promotions all the way to Master Chief before I made my first promotion to E-2.

For your middle term projects - plan for things like ESWS or your dolphins as soon as possible. When you get onboard you will find yourself with a huge amount of work to do regarding learning the job functions as well as learning the ship/submarine functions - don't sweat it. Put in the time and effort to learn the systems - ALL of them. On a submarine, there is no one more useless than someone that doesn't have their dolphins, except for someone who isn't working on their dolphins 24/7/365. You want the respect of your supervisors/superiors - EARN THAT PIN.

Long term....decide early on whether you want to go warrant, LDO or stay in the enlisted ranks. Never say never to an opportunity - but take the time to realize the risks of failure and rewards of success. No matter which you opt for, understand that life does not always agree with your plans or timing. Be willing to sidestep if necessary.

Finally, make a plan for financial success. If you're not saving at least 70% (or more) of your pay as a single sailor and at least 30% of your pay as a married sailor - you're doing it wrong. I was told that if you didn't save at least $50,000 in your first 4 years (without bonuses, just regular pay) then you were doing it all wrong. For a sailor only making about $300 a payday that seemed unattainable - but I did it.

Response by SPC James Lowe made Oct 11 at 2014 12:06 PM

SPC James Lowe — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 12:06:55 -0400

They can't call you a brown noser if they're dead.. just saying..

But seriously, ignore them

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 11 at 2014 12:13 PM

SPC David S. — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 12:13:26 -0400

Sycophant, brown noser, apple polisher, what ever you call it Just do your job at a high level. Proficiently do you job task with low error and then develop your skill set to handle tasks of increasing responsibility and take them on with your own chutzpah.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 11 at 2014 1:51 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 13:51:37 -0400

People will hate on you when you do things like this, but like I've seen elsewhere on this question, have you ever seen people hating on those that aren't successful?

Keep up the good work.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 7:36 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 07:36:02 -0400

ITT: "There's no such thing as brown nosing, bro! Just suck the dick! Fuck your buddies over! We all do it!"