Is it a good idea to have a written worksheet displaying all standards and guidelines I expect from my team? If so, in what format?

2016-01-03T05:01:18-05:00

I've written up a worksheet displaying standards and guidelines I expect of my team (soldiers and myself included, there I can keep them accountable and also make sure I stay within my own rules and if I don't my soldiers can keep me accountable) to go by for things along the line of cleanliness of the truck, customs/courtisies, maintaining personal TA-50, etc. This actually splits into two questions. 1) Do you think this is a good route to take cause we all know you can verbally give information/guidance, but when it's written/typed out it sticks out much more and you can always refer to it. 2) Is a regular typed out sheet best, or is this more of a 4856 type deal?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 5:18 AM

2016-01-03T05:18:54-05:00

A quick question. Many of the things you list (maintaining TA50, vehicle cleanliness) sound like things that often appear in a unit SOP. Is your team in a stand alone type situation or are you located with a platoon that has an SOP that covers those types of things? I ask because I've mostly seen written guidance on things like that at platoon or company level, and you want to make sure what you put out is consistent with higher level guidance.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 5:22 AM

2016-01-03T05:22:34-05:00

The absolute best way to do this is what could be labeled "Trickle-Down Leadership". Your 1SG should have counseled his PLT SGTs within 30 days of him taking over as 1SG or from 30 of a new PLT SGT being assigned. Based on that counseling, the PLT SGT will counsel his squad leaders in the same manner. Sometimes the counseling form is copied verbatim. Other times each supervisor tailors the form to emphasize the things that are important to them based on the condition of the platoon or squad at the time. You can request these standards from your squad leader. In the unfortunate event that 1SG, PLT SGT, and Squad Leaders have all failed to do their required counselings, then you would need to come up with your own. Failure to do the time-consuming paper-work of initial and event-oriented counselings of E5s and below are the primary reason the words "I can't believe he/she got promoted" is ever uttered in the Army. I have seen motivated E4's take a large white board and place all the squad member's names down a column on the left side of the board and place all the required items/issues/responsibilities across the top. Tracking all the items for everyone to see helps everyone know where the focus should be. This can be as simple as PT, Weapons, Ht./Wt., etc or can be as complex as you mentioned with motor pool, customs, TA-50, and board procedures.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Jan 3 at 2016 6:00 AM

2016-01-03T06:00:35-05:00

I think it's a great idea. Written is always better than verbal. That way no one can say they forgot because it's written down. Your doing a great job from my prospective. I always said lead by example your team will respect you more because your not asking them to do something you wouldn't do.
Rick steady Specialist Davis.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 7:35 AM

2016-01-03T07:35:07-05:00

As a squad leader when I get new soldiers to to my squad I give them there Intial counseling this covers that soldiers specific job and what is expected of them being a member of my squad it covers following the companies SOP as well as a few things that are very important being a member of
my squad this is how I did things as team leader as well. I think it is best to always keep a record and what better way than the da form 4856

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-01-03T09:10:16-05:00

You are on the right track. With gear lay out and truck maintenance these are things that should be covered in the unit SOP but nothing says that you can't reiterate and only include the information that pertains to you and your Soldiers.

Although you can make it like a cheat sheet never miss an opportunity to counsel your Soldiers. There is more than one way to counseling. When I get new Soldiers I alway give a reception and integration counseling so we all have common ground.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jan 3 at 2016 9:41 AM

2016-01-03T09:41:21-05:00

This IS good. Ensuring your team understands your expectations of them is the first step of leadership. It is a critical move that is all too often neglected by some, all the way up the chain of command.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 9:47 AM

2016-01-03T09:47:59-05:00

The fact that you are asking this question means that you are doing something right. Now that should be written down. I have seen a 5 page memo type format and I have also seen and I have always used the 4856. Now each option will accomplish the goal. I would use the 4856 unless you have so much that it will not fit on the 4856 then use the memo type. Keep this up and you will be fine.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 11:33 AM

2016-01-03T11:33:41-05:00

It is an approach. What makes it right is that it works, if it doesn't work, figure out why you didn't get buy-in and try a new approach.
I would personally probably handle this in a counseling session, but your method seems sound to me.
Don't be surprised if you get challenged, though.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-01-03T12:20:57-05:00

Appreciate all the helpful responses. To kind of give a little more information, I have cover all this kind of stuff in the initial counseling. But I plan on utilizing this as a reference that I can keep in my pocket, and use. Cause this covers stuff like, slave cables being returned to our truck, the truck's load and organization plan...things along those lines.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Jan 3 at 2016 12:44 PM

2016-01-03T12:44:48-05:00

I find that if you put the reminders and standards in their initial counseling that is the first step in the right direction. Send thing is have a reminder posted somewhere that lets your team know what they are on a daily basis. I like the fact you want to keep them accountable, they can keep each other accountable and the can keep you accountable.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 1:17 PM

2016-01-03T13:17:09-05:00

All those things should also be discussed in their initial counseling a and their monthly counselings. Counselings have some of the greatest impacts on Soldiers and as a Team Leader you will be one of the most influential leader your Soldiers have, you will have the greatest impact. You are definitely on the right track.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 9:06 PM

2016-01-03T21:06:36-05:00

I have done something like this. I put it on a DA Letterhead as a memo. It was basically my leadership philosophy. It basically puts out how you see leadership, your expectations, and how you will respond when a lapse occurs. It is crucial that when you are in charge of any group of soldier they understand what is expected of them.

Response by SSG Darian Jones made Jan 3 at 2016 9:07 PM

2016-01-03T21:07:40-05:00

Put it on a 4856 as what is expected of your team by you the sq ldr, Plt Sgt. TA50 is always a basic soldier responsibility from basic. But outline additional task for each member of your team so that in combat it's all about reaction and not waiting for orders in the event your not there or busy taking care of another situation

Response by SSG James Richardson made Jan 4 at 2016 7:51 AM

2016-01-04T07:51:34-05:00

This fairly similar to an initial counseling statement? Also counseling your soldiers, or subordinates verbally and enforcing the standards set out by the Army daily is a good start, and is better than a poster hanging from the door. It really depends on what sort of environment you work in. If you have an office you could hang in in there, or if you maintain quality counseling packets and insist that your soldiers maintain their own quality packets, that could be a cover page; those are good places to start. Also your leaders book.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jan 4 at 2016 9:09 AM

2016-01-04T09:09:19-05:00

4856 counseling form. Puts on paper what is expected and what you expect from them. Just like the squad leader gave to you. Covers your ass that way when something happens you can refer back to the counseling or initial counseling!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:19 AM

2016-01-04T11:19:53-05:00

I think it is a PERFECT idea. Kind of post it like the 'ten commandments' or something like that. By posting it you keep yourself and your subordinates accountable. Continually refer to it if not daily, then weekly. It kind of keeps it fresh in everyone's mind. Just type it out, it doesn't need to be all fancy schmancy either.

Response by SSG John Caples made Jan 4 at 2016 6:42 PM

2016-01-04T18:42:32-05:00

Good idea to do,but never tell your soldier's you want them to keep you on track , you should be doing that on your own,as a team leader, that is what, yourSquad Leader is there for,so you and he can maintain the work environment and baby sitting it's your job, I did and I know there are others that has too.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2016 2:16 AM

2016-01-08T02:16:45-05:00

Yes SPC, a 4856 is best so you have a sign copy. Also if they failed it, it could be an extra counseling statement to give. Be sure to give them a copy and post the nameless copy or memo on a bulletin chart on the wall. If it is a whole lot bullet points, put the memos on the bulletin chart, and reference each memo you need to use on the 4856 as a bullet point. Or create a soldiers book with the memo and give each soldier one. Note the cost to make the soldiers book and reference that in the 4856 on cost to replace it if lost. This book would actually help them because you could reference in the 4856 keeping all counseling statements, awards, certificates, extra duty assignments and so forth given to them in their book. When they gain rank to SPC or SGT one day, they would be able to use the book and their past counseling statements as a reference point when they give counseling statements. It is best to use Unit SOP and polices, having the same bar level your leaders require of you. The most you can also do is to encourage the to go above and beyond the standard. And reflect this in the 4856 that it will be notice, cause it those that do are notice. Or you can have them created their own book and bring it. But I say to make the book yourself so all soldiers are the same. Same binder, sheet protectors and so forth. Front cover, and memos.