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?
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Evaluations Commander
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 119
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Without a doubt. Some of the best commanders I served for were seeking feedback from all levels of their troops. Honest and unbiased feedback to a commander can dramatically change the way units work through systemic issues that could go unaddressed for years.
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TSgt Melissa Post If someone ask my opinion I give that. If they are looking for validation and my opinion bruised their ego, they need to own that.
Personally, I have never trusted "yes men". Tell me what I need to know not what I want to hear.
Personally, I have never trusted "yes men". Tell me what I need to know not what I want to hear.
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If you never say anything, don't expect any change. A commander who surrounds themselves with yes man, is IMHO, doomed to fail eventually. If you are respectful, provide clear examples of alternatives, and a decent reason why. Most leaders will at least listen to your approach. This doesn't mean they will change, but it shows signs of being open to information, that may run contrary to their own ideas.
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"the commander asked us to let him know if we liked doing promotions this way."
And "Would you have told the commander your opinion or would you have kept silent? Was I wrong to be honest?"
Front what you posted, I think you already knew the answer to your question.
But I'll respond to confirm... WELL DONE TSgt Melissa Post
And "Would you have told the commander your opinion or would you have kept silent? Was I wrong to be honest?"
Front what you posted, I think you already knew the answer to your question.
But I'll respond to confirm... WELL DONE TSgt Melissa Post
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TSgt Melissa Post
lol I suppose the reason I posted this was because of the other airman. He always assumes he knows best about everything and I find myself questioning my actions. so it is helpful to get outside unbiased opinions regarding what they would have done. But thank you.
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In my opinion, you did the right thing! As a very Junior Officer & Service Member, I always solicit feedback from PSG and section leaders. They are the subject matter & experts & if they believe that there is a faster, more efficient, a more respectful way to solve a problem then I listen with all ears. A good leader regardless of rank always listens to his soldiers / airman, seaman, peers ect.
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It's your obligation to. As you say, you did it respectfully and professionally. There's nothing wrong with that, especially if the boss solicited the feedback.
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Great job! Your Commander asked for feedback and you gave feedback in a professional manner. And you offered a positive solution. Great work. In my career I noticed that it was always the people who were willing and motivated to speak up who got the attention and became the leaders. Speaking out / giving feedback when it is asked for by a higher up shows passion and drive --keep it up -thats how things get improved.
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A Commander that can not take constructive criticism or recommendations usually fosters a toxic leadership environment. Those that dont say anything, or YES MEN, only compound the problem. There are too many yes men in the military.
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TSgt Melissa Post
agreed and it is even more unfortunate when the fact that they are Yes men is the cause of their promotion.
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as a young solider i never gave feedback unless there was a problem, somewhere around 12 years of service i started providing feedback all the time. I realized that they are either asking for feedback because they care or because they have to. if they care then i will do everything i can to help them and the unit to succeed, if they are doing it because they have to, then maybe they need to read my words and if they make no impact, i don't care either, they can read my words anyway!
My outlook is simple, if someone asks me a question, i will give an honest answer in the most professional manner i am able. Sure there have been repercussions, and i have had to learn a few things, for example, "don't tell the general about unit issues that have not been addressed by the rest of the chain", but after the rest of the reachable command has failed to act for whatever reason (often not by choice) and a 3 star asks, i will delightfully explain the issue to him; hopefully he can motivate the powers that be to fix the issue the other leaders could not affect.
Positive feedback is just as important though, if a change made things better, or if something is perfect the way it is, it is important for leaders to be aware of it. I also like to use these opportunities to offer suggestions for improvements.
My outlook is simple, if someone asks me a question, i will give an honest answer in the most professional manner i am able. Sure there have been repercussions, and i have had to learn a few things, for example, "don't tell the general about unit issues that have not been addressed by the rest of the chain", but after the rest of the reachable command has failed to act for whatever reason (often not by choice) and a 3 star asks, i will delightfully explain the issue to him; hopefully he can motivate the powers that be to fix the issue the other leaders could not affect.
Positive feedback is just as important though, if a change made things better, or if something is perfect the way it is, it is important for leaders to be aware of it. I also like to use these opportunities to offer suggestions for improvements.
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If your commander asked for information, then you give him/her the information. While some CC's ask questions just to ask, some truly want to know the real answers. As long as your did it tactfully, then nothing was done incorrectly. Keep doing what you do. We cannot make this a better Air Force by keeping quiet and pretending everything is rainbows and unicorns when in all actuality, it is mold and mud.
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