I have a lazy first line supervisor and the Command Team does nothing about it. Advice?

2014-12-21T17:53:36-05:00

Background: My first line supervisor is a 8 year E-5, after I get picked up this month hopefully; I will still have more points then her, even without attending ALC.
She consistently does not disseminate information from daily NCOIC meetings she attends and expects me and one other person on my team to have tasks completed before she ask, for example she ask "are our vehicles dispatched" and my response is usually no are they supposed to be? She will ask do you know where Maj (the OIC of our team) is today, and I am like uhhhh no.

My monthly counselings are never done and when they are she wants me to back date them. When she goes on leave, she leaves a big to do list for me to get accomplished. For example, organize our conex's which we have 4. My team is in charge of a 50 patient hospital.

But the last straw was this week, she waiting until COB to move our equipment from MED Maintenance. Never mind the fact we only have 4 Soliders on our team and I am the only one with out a permanent profile. We are in charge of a 50 patient hospital and have to move this equipment ourselves; but when it comes to moving the equipment she in not to be found. This is just one example, of the daily activities I have to go through.

I need help.......

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:01 PM

2014-12-21T18:01:57-05:00

I always enjoyed working for people like this, they were a great example of what NOT to do. Id address the next higher up, write a list of all the incidents you can think of. Dates, times, witnesses etc. It may come across as petty, but if you have facts and can state them accordingly it is more effective than trying to remember them on the spot and helps you to not come across as just complaining. On the other hand, the system is usually pretty good at finding these people and Karma is always right around the corner. Just take care of yourself, ensure you are doing what is right and even though they may be "stupid" instructions, they are instructions. Take care of you and stay out of trouble. But I would surely address my next higher. If you do get picked up, maybe the COC is waiting for someone to replace her. Wouldn't be the first time I have seen someone work for someone they actually outranked. Just remember all the things you are complaining about and ensure you do not posses those same traits when you have Soldiers under you... Good luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:12 PM

2014-12-21T18:12:13-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member has some sage words in there.

I would suggest a more positive route. Try to get inside their decision making cycle and have as much done before they ask. Even more than that, know that they are going to ask for A and then have B, C and D done for them already. Do the best you can at all times and exercise your initiative now, and then when you are working for a leader that you think is worthwhile, they will love you.

Your work will not be unnoticed. At the very least you will set a positive example for your soldiers.

I am sorry about your situation. I have been there and not followed my advice. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:35 PM

2014-12-21T18:35:07-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member this may not be the answer you want to hear...but tell the chain of command. If they ignore it then do your job and pray for PCS as soon as you can. It is not in your control. We all have seen this and seen people stay in and promoted that should not have been. Learn from this. Ensure that if you ever are in charge you do not pass them onto others, promote, or ignore. Instead become a better leader and be prepared to do the paperwork necessary to document and process these Soldiers (leaders or not) out of the service if they will not do their share. You can try to change them and develop them, but always ALWAYS ALWAYS document so that if you fail you can process them out.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-12-21T18:36:46-05:00

This is NCO training for you at its finest! As SSG Bubba Broadbent said, it's a great example of what NOT to do, but also an opportunity for you to step up your game. Not saying you're a bad troop, but a troop that obviously cares enough to notice these things, because most don't. Best thing to do, and this is something I learned when I was an Airman, know your job, your supervisor's job, and your supervisor's supervisor's job. Be as proactive as possible, I know it's not easy to know everything that is going on around you, but the better you get at not having to be told to do things or being aware of who is where, it will make you a more efficient NCO in the future... Good luck

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:42 PM

2014-12-21T18:42:08-05:00

"Back date counseling"? Sounds like a digital signature problem-solver to me.

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, I can assure you that if your leadership is engaged at all, they are well aware of this SGT's habits. She will get hers, in time. In the meantime, there is a job to do.

What you MUST DO, is do the right thing. She may be lazy and disengaged, but she is still a Sergeant and has the ability to make life difficult if this goes from lazy to petty. Believe me, your leaders know if you are carrying the team too.

I do see an improvement you can make. Make it a point to do the dispatches and know where your Major is without needing to respond to an inquiry. I've preached to my junior Soldiers for a very long time: Do routine things routinely (or without being asked) and while it may be your lot in life to be a vehicle driver, be excellent at it. You will be a leader soon enough. Senior leaders treasure quality Soldiers and take care of them. We know who makes our unit go. Take those two pieces of advice and I promise you that you will go far and put this individual in your rear-view mirror.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2014 6:57 PM

2014-12-21T18:57:01-05:00

SPC(P) April Thomas, everyone’s comment is spot on and gives you a course of action to take. My advice would be to create your own battle rhythm of tasks that are normally done during a week. For example, if every Monday (or first day of the work week) is command maintenance then dispatch the vehicles. For Friday’s, then you know you have motor pool closeout which will include closing out dispatches.

As for back dating counseling, that is a big NO GO. If you are not being counseled monthly (at a minimum) then your immediate supervisor is wrong. My other advice would be to learn from your NCOs lack of leadership and adjust that to be a better leader yourself. Lastly, if you go seeking help from your next higher echelon then I would ask if you can sit in those NCO meetings. I personally have a SPC (non- promotable) in charge of one my sections in my platoon and he does absolutely great.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 21 at 2014 8:27 PM

2014-12-21T20:27:23-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member A wise SGM once told me the best NCOs were the ones who were poorly lead, recognized it, and ensured they would not replicate that behavior. From reading your post you seem to be conscientious and fully prepared for your role as an NCO.

In some cases, learning from a poor leader may make a bigger impact than learning from a good or even great leader. While you don't learn what to do, in great detail, you certainly are shown what not to do.

All that said, document in a Memorandum for Record all of what you have experienced, the mission failure(s) which have been avoided by your teams diligence in your leaders absence, and, my suggestion is to, speak with your NCO support channel to determine from them what the best course may be. Make sure, as SSG Private RallyPoint Member pointed out you also document witnesses names so if verification is needed, it is available.

Hopefully your NCO Support Channel will provide some guidance. You may even want to approach it from an "I am about to be an NCO and want to learn how to deal with situations like this" manner.

Back dating monthly counseling sessions is a no go and I thought the current digital signature process would not allow back dating since it signs it the actual day the digital signature is applied.

If this fails then you may / will have no choice but utilize the Chain of Command to deal with the issue(s).

Finally, as 1SG Private RallyPoint Member related do your routine tasks (dispatching vehicles and keeping track of the MAJ) without being asked. In this way one piece of your day will run smoothly and when the SGT asks if this has been done, the reply can be a loud and clear affirmative.

Continue to treat this SGT with the respect due her rank and when presenting information only present facts, not passion. Passion may be misunderstood as animosity which tells a leader this is a personal issue and not a professional one. Present the facts, if and when you address these issues and also as pointed out by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member it is likely your CoC is already aware of this NCOs behavior, conduct, and attitude.

I hope you find this helpful. Last bit, no matter what, maintain your bearing and respect. Be better than a lazy / poor leader and grow beyond this, do not lower allow this experience to jade you as there is good and bad in everything.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 8 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-07-08T11:51:19-04:00

You have several options at this point, one is to step and be the leader that the rest are looking for. Be her assistant, your an NCO get in there an assist her to do a better job. Is there a reason she is not doing a good job? Possible she is overwhelmed or is lazy. Force her to give you back briefs after her morning meetings so you can disseminate the information.

If you have a training schedule read it in advance and know the vehicles will need to be dispatched on Wednesdays or Mondays or what ever day that they need dispatching. If possible do an extended dispatch for the week and be done with that task. Be proactive, what did the Dali Lama say "be the change that you seek" or something to that effect.

Conex's...I have 7 of them at work for the VA and I am a staff of 1.5 and .5 is in a wheel chair. I have the organized, inventoried, where stuff is on a spreadsheet. Stuff that gets used a lot is up front, low use, towards the rear. I use pallet shelving cut to the height of the conex's and have them bolted to the floor. Beat up your supply people or hunt around the post for shelving to get the stuff you want or need to get stuff stored so it is easier to inventory, and keep organize so this stuff doesn't happen. I am not telling you this to brag, but to let you know you will to put in some hard work to get it the way you want it, but once it is done, your peers will wish to emulate. My counterparts in Emergency Management whip out their phones and take pics without fail every time they visit. If you need picture, feel free to hit me up and I would be happy to send you some.

Lastly, and this is something I have done in the past and still do, I have asked an NCO a very simple question "What part of the Creed did your actions emulate?" (This part you get to fill in) "was it the part where you will provide expert leadership? Being more professional? etc." I find that one question can spark more motivation, than all the reams of counseling statements will ever do.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2016 6:36 PM

2016-10-21T18:36:16-04:00

Memorandum For Record. With everything written out with dates and witnesses. But before you do that and turn it in, go to her first line with her and professionally and tactfully discuss it with them. Remember the conversation is about how to solve the problem not about assigning blame.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2016 10:10 PM

2016-10-21T22:10:10-04:00

Remember no matter how good you are, and even if you think your the best , their is always someone better than you so I would think some is lazier than them as well. lazier than them as well. Lol works both ways, just once you run into the biggest POS there could ever be, bam! Another new and improved model shows up...

Response by CPO Randy Francis made Oct 22 at 2016 9:18 AM

2016-10-22T09:18:01-04:00

It was working for people like that that got me promoted to E-7 in 8 years. I was able to separate myself from them in the eyes of the COC by being their exact opposite. You should do the same and in no time she'll be working for you. Be the obvious "go-to" person and your chain will notice.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-10-22T13:59:25-04:00

have you connected with the platoon sgt or 1sg, this begins at the lowest level, then goes higher