I was recently promoted to E-4 and made a Team Leader a week later. Any suggestions of how to be the most effective and positive Team Leader?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 08:57:10 -0400

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 1 at 2018 10:09 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 10:09:31 -0400

Listen twice as much as you talk

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 10:13 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 10:13:28 -0400

I have a few power statements that I try to lead by:

1. Preparation breeds professionalism, and professionalism enhances leadership competencies.

2. As leaders, we must never forget that we are only as good as the men and women who follow us; alone we are no more than an individual who solely possesses a vision.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 10:46 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 10:46:19 -0400

Be there early, if there is a complaint about something, there better be a solution included in that complaint. Live by that motto as well. Adapt and overcome. Be a good leader by being strong and doing well in physical fitness as well. It is all about the leader, the soldiers led, the situation and communication. You are an infantry so it should be pretty easy and all should fall into place. Even if you are nervous, don't let others know it. Don't be too self-conscious. Don't be afraid to make a decision.

Response by Susan Foster made Jul 1 at 2018 10:54 AM

Susan Foster — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 10:54:58 -0400

ADRP 6-11, Army Leadership (don't know if you are Army). Read it, learn it, follow it. You will go far. And you can find it on line.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 11:14 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 11:14:19 -0400

This would be a great question for SGTs in your unit. My advice would be to ensure you're personally squared away, and start thinking like a leader - meaning, start thinking about how each decision affects your subordinates before yourself. That's really all anybody can ask.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jul 1 at 2018 11:30 AM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 11:30:48 -0400

The one that still stands out to me SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member . Lead by example with positive reinforcement.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 1 at 2018 11:31 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 11:31:13 -0400

What is your MOS? Know your job well and work to be an SME. If you fail at leadership, be great at what the Army hired you to do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 12:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 12:19:08 -0400

Since you have recently been promoted, mentor your subordinates on how you have got there.
Never be stagnate in your career. See what you need to in order to attend BLC, and continue working your civilian education.
You and your squad leader are not a team observe his/her flaws and fill them in with your skills. Your goal is to be the most competent squad in the Battalion/Brigade/etc.
Nothing comes easy from this point always remember to take care of yourself as a leader.

Response by SSG Kristell Lee made Jul 1 at 2018 12:34 PM

SSG Kristell Lee — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 12:34:58 -0400

Be an example. Remember they'll look up to you and respect you or ignore you and not care for you. Listen to them but don't let them whine. If they have legit complains look into it, if not tell them to get over it. But follow through if you say you'll look into it. And have their back!

Be honest, if someone doesn't deserve something or they are doing something wrong let them know, but tell them what they are doing wrong and if you can how to fix it, but don't do their job. If they deserve praise do that too. Be fair and impartial, don't have favorites. Have your most knowledgeable troops train your newer ones even if they don't out rank them. And don't let them walk over you.

And if they ever mess up bad go all angry Latina on their butt and they'll fear the Rath of God

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 1 at 2018 1:25 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 13:25:03 -0400

The best advice I could give you as someone who also became a team leader as a SPC; you're no longer one of the Joes. Your duty position has more importance than the rank you have. For all intents and purposes you're expected to act as though you are a Corporal. Be at work an hour before your guys get there. Check your soldier's rooms regularly. Don't give them any breaks because they are also SPCs. Most SPCs are trying to sham out of their work and will screw you over if you trust them to do the right thing. Make notes about your soldier's performances so you can fill out their counselings promptly. On counselings, make sure that you don't only do monthly or negative counselings, write positive counseling statements when they do well. Your troops need to know when they do well. Other than that, know your job inside and out so none of your guys question your abilities.

Response by PFC Eric Parrish made Jul 1 at 2018 2:47 PM

PFC Eric Parrish — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 14:47:44 -0400

Be fair , Be firm and remember its not a democracy.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 1 at 2018 4:38 PM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 16:38:29 -0400

Run, do not walk, to the nearest bookstore. Order "Small Unit Leadership" by Colonel Dandridge Malone. (To this day it drives me bananas that this was written by a Soldier instead of a Marine).

Read it from front to back, skipping nothing once a month for one year. Then read it once a year, until you retire.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Jul 1 at 2018 10:46 PM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 22:46:57 -0400

1. Take care of your Troops and they will take care of you especially when the chips are down.
2. Rank is a tool never to be abused.
3. Leadership is set through personal example.
4. Did I mention taking care of your Troops.
5. As a team leader or junior NCO, teach by showing.
6. Lastly, take care of your Troopers and they will ALWAYS get the mission accomplished.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 11:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 23:04:28 -0400

At your level compitance will weigh much more then rank or position. Being damn good at your job will count alot

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Jul 2 at 2018 7:40 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 07:40:05 -0400

Adapt to your followers. One thing we are taught in our Airmen Leadership School is that it is the leaders job to adapt to the type of follower you have. I had to relearn this lesson with my first troop. I wanted to help her so much because I was so excited to have my first troop but she didn’t need me to always help her because she wasn’t some young kiddo figuring life out. She needed more of a hands off approach. So that was something I felt was a very valuable lesson to relearn myself. Hope that helps.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Jul 2 at 2018 7:53 AM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 07:53:36 -0400

My advice is to keep doing what you are doing; soldiering and setting examples. You are not only their leader, you are also a buffer between them and the COC. Think about that when considering discipline, and over extending yourself But you are also not their pal, You are their team leader, and your behavior will have to be at its best as well. You seem pretty sharp and that requires instinct, So, don't over think it. Stay on point with what you are doing and listen to your 'Spidey sense'. NCO's are paid to jump to conclusions. Usually we make the right ones not always, but how FUBAR'd would it be if we made no decisions at all? Own your errors. Don't dwell on them. Every time you give a critical order, get a read back from your guy so you know he is clear on that block of instruction. Too much bad things happen that way through miscommunication. Oh, and congratulations, keep it up, Chris!
and thanks for stepping up!

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jul 2 at 2018 8:02 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 08:02:21 -0400

Congratulations! Now the work begins...Keep your shotgroup tight as You train the E-3s/E-2s/an E-1s
Always set a professional standard, remember the climb Up! ( because there is always a fall down) I would design a questionannaire asking some questions like: why did You join the Army, where do You see yourself in five years, and what do You bring the Army? ( do You have a degree? or some type of skills?) Stay focused and motivated! SPC Lewis

Response by LCpl Russell Wallace made Jul 2 at 2018 4:12 PM

LCpl Russell Wallace — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 16:12:14 -0400

Just buy everyone booze at the end of shitty days.

Response by SGT William Ek made Jul 2 at 2018 5:50 PM

SGT William Ek — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 17:50:03 -0400

Go for it but remember to treat troops the way you would want to be treated and you will succeed !

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2018 1:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 01:26:14 -0400

Congratulations on your recent promotion. The best way to take care of a team is to actually take care of them. Making sure the information flow is there, telling them the right and wrong way even though they may already know. Getting to know each soldier on an individual level to better help them or a situation. Also shelling out some of your own experiences. But getting a soldier to respect you and not just a job title or rank is a great way to actually build a team. So making sure you read regulations and spread your knowledge to your soldiers is how you can start this. Fighting for the good of your soldiers. A lot of soldier dont understand why sometimes but just keeping them positive and motivated and working with them is also gonna help to get rid of that. But help to understand why and letting them feel apart of what's going on rather than just doing it. Hope that helps.

Response by SSG Stephen Bochniak made Jul 5 at 2018 9:51 PM

SSG Stephen Bochniak — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 21:51:11 -0400

Listen to what your troops are saying. Never over react, let them no shirt has to get done, and don't have to explan every decision you make to them.

Response by SPC Kenneth James made Jul 10 at 2018 9:08 PM

SPC Kenneth James — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 21:08:51 -0400

Bro congratulations first of all and as an old school soldier I'm going to keep it short be fair when you need to trust your instincts on right and wrong most of us no the difference between the truth and a lie on occasion you Will find a very talented liar but for the most part try to believe your charges they just might surprise you

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jul 11 at 2018 12:31 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:31:24 -0400

Take charge. Make decisions - even if they are wrong. Accomplish the mission. Don't abuse your troops more than necessary.

Response by SPC Darin Clements made Aug 14 at 2018 7:26 PM

SPC Darin Clements — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 19:26:00 -0400

Lead by example. Don't micromanage. Trust your troops. Focus on the mission

Response by SPC Jeff Knight made Aug 26 at 2018 12:11 PM

SPC Jeff Knight — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 12:11:26 -0400

I was same, B 2/504. I refused to room separately. When training discover each members strength and help each get better. After Vietnam we used too many blanks/smoke. I opted for real hand to hand using knives, machetes etc. had bulky clothes to avoid injuries, but constant training ever chance obtained. Cross train every position including mortars, train firing non prominent side. Lefties fire right, etc. most importantly they’re your family first so always be there to protect from themselves.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 27 at 2019 7:47 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 19:47:53 -0500

Small Unit Leadership: A Commonsense Approach, Paperback – June 1, 1983
by Dandridge M. Malone