Is it more stressful to be a leader or a staff officer/NCO?

Thought I knew stress having done both sides. Depending on what you're doing, it's a different type of stress, but still stress. Then all that pales when you get that Skipper job and have total responsibility for a lot of people thrown into different areas of the world. Force protection becomes very personal to you. I'd get the double whammy of being tasked mission without force protection. That would stress and set me off pushing back upline. It caused me not to make flag, but I got mission done and brought my people home. That results in far less stress for the rest of your life. So if you don't stress over keeping your people alive, punch out because you're too risky to have around.

LTC (Join to see) I think I got 90% of my white hair from my time in staff and all the b.s. that comes along with it

Leaders work through direct lines and get things done. Much of staff work is dotted lines and you are forced to invest a lot of non value added admin time to get things done, because your position does or does not have any real authority. Granted building buy-in is important, but command is infinitely better than staff.

One does not stop being a Leader based upon duty title. Leadership is stressful because one cares. Staff is stressful because no one cares. It's quite the conundrum.

Team,

I have found that both are challenging in there own terms.

I will offer that I felt that I learned more as a Staff Officer/NCO and that made me a better leader.

But I would never.... ever... forget the honor and oppurtunity... yo lead the soldiers and civilians I have... regardless of the challenges. The jobs were intrinsically rewarding... and help me grow.

my 2 cents

peace out

Never was an Officer, Can't say. I can comment though that having served on 2 Admirals Staffs and in Direct Support of 1. Staff Duty definitely has it's Perks for Enlisteds are Treated Much Better on Staff Commands. At CINCPACFLT and COMSPAWARSYSCOM I walked on Water. Not so Much in "The Fleet".

For me it was totally dependent on my superiors and subordinates. My stressful times where when I had leaders who's heads were echelons above reality, or subordinates that were toxic. When I had great coworkers everything was very easy, leadership vs staff really didn't matter so much as the individuals I worked with.

I do imagine responses to this question will ally with individual personality preferences.