Posted on Aug 24, 2015
If the commander asked for feedback would you give it to him/her?
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Recently my commander released Staff Sergeant promotion results in a different manner than we normally do. Many airman near me were talking about how they disliked this new way. I myself had the same sentiments and for good cause. During the release, the commander asked us to let him know if we liked doing promotions this way. I took two days to type up a simple, yet respectful email explaining my opinion and giving three alternate solutions to achieve what he stated his goals were for his approach. The next week I was talking to another airman about this and he was adamant that I shouldn't have done that. When I asked why he response was "you just don't do that". My email was in no way disrespectful or full of complaining. I received a reply from my commander that stated "Understood. Thank you for your honest feedback." Would you have told the commander your opinion or would you have kept silent? Was I wrong to be honest?
Posted in these groups: 
Evaluations
Commander
Evaluations Commander
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 119
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He asked for your opinion, you gave him your opinion and examples of different methods or solutions. I don't see anything wrong with what you did, and I hope that you weren't spotlighted for doing it. I guess the answer that I am beating around the bush at is this...If he didn't want your opinion, he shouldn't have asked for it. The people who would shy away from giving honest feedback might want to evaluate their values.
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I was a driver for a LTC in Korea... I frequently did (gave my opinion) without being asked ...respectfully. A good leader will crave honest feedback... they're often insulated from how decisions impact the E-1 through E-4 people that they're responsible for.
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TSgt Melissa Post As a Battalion and Brigade Operations Sergeant Major, I gave my 2 cents even if it wasn't requested. That is what my job was. I was the devil's advocate for my units. Commanders have to hear what they need to hear and not what they want to hear. Sometimes it pisses them off but shit happens it's for the better of the unit.
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Too many times I have seen NCO's become "Yes" men when the CC asks a question. While I was on active duty, I worked really hard to be that guy who tells him what he needs to know to make a decision, not what he wanted to hear. Many times my NCOIC has pulled me aside and said words to the effect of "You shouldn't have said that" and I ALWAYS responded maybe, but the CC NEEDED to hear it. If you aren't going to provide open and honest feedback, don't bother responding at all.
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TSgt Melissa Post
I suppose at the end of the day you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and live with your decisions. like you said if you can't give open honest feedback, don't bother responding at all. Thanks for your reply.
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Well, I have been known to provide feedback when not asked, so I guess I have to say yes.
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MSG Brad Sand
Capt (Join to see)
I guess there was more than one occasion where I found myself wondering, "If you didn't want an answer, why did you ask the question?"
I guess there was more than one occasion where I found myself wondering, "If you didn't want an answer, why did you ask the question?"
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Capt (Join to see)
LOL Oh they usually wanted an answer. But, they wanted their answer. Didn't work that way often.
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Colin Powell always said that the time a commander stops hearing from his soldiers is when that commander has lost their respect (paraphrased, I can't remember the exact quote). The point is that if you felt comfortable enough sending an honest yet respectful response to him, then it was the right thing to do. Trust me, you will have those commanders where you know you have no respect for them and you wouldn't give your opinion no matter how much they asked.
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I agree with CSM David Heidke. I'm the type (was the type) of Soldier that couldn't sit by without saying something if I knew I was right. However I never did it in a way to undermine their authority or disrespect them. Being tactful can be everyone's friend.
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TSgt Melissa Post
First I would like to point out how lucky you are to be in monterey. I envy you lol.
And second yes, tactful speech is definitely a blessing to those who have figured it out lol.
And second yes, tactful speech is definitely a blessing to those who have figured it out lol.
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TSgt Melissa Post
SFC John Birks - yeah when I go to "my happy place" in my thoughts lol that is where I am returning to. That or Texas.
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TSgt Melissa Post, in the Army we are afforded these opportunities at all levels in the form of AAR's, counseling sessions, MSAF 360's, Command Climate surveys and just open door policy sit downs. Now how many people speak the truth respectfully, that is a questions that I can't answer? I know that one of my primary duties as a Chief Warrant Officer is to be the honest broker for my Commander in the realm of maintenance and logistics and I definitely have no problem doing just that.
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TSgt Melissa Post
We have a couple of those things too, but things like the climate surveys people just view as a joke, at least in the lower ranks. We do them and nothing changes. At least from the eyes of the lower end of the tier. Thanks for the input!
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SFC Norman G. Mayers
I felt the same way about surveys when I was a junior enlisted; after becoming a EO Representative, I realize that surveys were design to ask the same questions to everyone, in order to get a consensus from multiple sources and possible recommended solutions. Well, ask yourself if everyone provides the same responses or made the same recommendations. As leaders we need to prioritize the problems and develop courses of actions to resolve them from all the recommendations given; as lower enlisted we tend to want a quick and immediate solution, so when we see no changes from our point of view we assume nothing is going to change. Ask yourself how many provided solutions vs complained. how many recommendations were given in a professional manner or even made sense. Not all junior enlisted have the level of maturity or experience to make a recommendation that is not self centered on them.
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SFC Norman G. Mayers
Chief, as a Warrant Officer you have the best of both worlds; you have the experiences, leadership treats and technical skills of the enlisted and the professional development of an officer. Both respect you because of were you come from and the your experiences as well as your ability to provide a technical and very elaborate response to what is and always will be a simple problem.
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Honesty is always the best option. If your chain of command puts their Airman in an environment which does not foster integrity, it's time to talk to the IG.
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