Posted on Apr 30, 2014
Leader weaknesses; do you point them out or just let the leader figure it out?
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Scenario: You conduct Platoon Training and note several failures/faults/weaknesses in the Leaders directly below you. Do you pin point the faults and work up a plan of action to correct them (sounds like counseling, right?) or do you tell them to figure out what they failed at on their own? For discussion sake, lets say they are brand new SSGs in Squad Leader positions with minimal experience.
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Mentorship
Mentorship
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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From the perspective of a junior NCO, I would like to be informed of areas in which I could improve. However I do believe that giving the areas that I have failed at, being encouraged to figure out the solutions to fix the problem is an effective way to train any subordinate.
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I think expressing your Subordinate Leaders are failures as leaders is counter productive if there is no Leading done on your part. If you as a leader have all the answers, and don't try to share the wisdom you have learned, having come from there position, than you are failing as a leader. Another question that must be asked is are they failing to lead in the manner you want them to lead. It is possible that they are effective leaders but it cant be seen because you only know your style of leadership. People are motivated in many different ways, we as leaders need to recognize that and try to groom them to be there own leader not a replica of ourselves.
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SFC Spaeth, I think you could use this time to point the faults and work up a plan of action to correct the defiencies you noted. You could use the scenario you mentioned above as a great teaching method to build cohesion and unity amongst your squad leaders.
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MSG Wade Huffman
I agree with SFC Valasquez. It isn't all that hard to provide correction, training, and build your report with your subordinates at the same time. No reason to come down on them (unless there is a trend developing). It's all part of training, mentoring, and leading.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree. I think that the approach of just letting them know that they failed and expecting them to tell me how only works with those who are willing to give themselves a true self eval. Not everyone can do that and need a superior to tell them how they failed.
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