Leaders- How do you make others feel?

Maj Marty Hogan — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 06:49:37 -0400

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 28 at 2018 7:26 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 07:26:25 -0400

The best senior leaders know you can't win the war on your own

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2018 9:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 09:52:24 -0400

But...

Management is important.
Leadership is important too.

They are separate skills. The meme, like many, value leadership while demonizing management.

Training management. Talent management. Managing manning and personnel. Managing an office and organizing production. The skill of management is important.

Leadership and the ability to motivate, develop, and inspire others to move with you toward a goal is also important.

...but to downplay one over the other after leads to a "senior leader" who's a 1 trick pony or has obvious holes appearing as toxic

Response by Susan Foster made Jul 28 at 2018 10:12 AM

Susan Foster — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 10:12:12 -0400

Great meme. Great leaders don't act like they are important, nor do they think they are. They know that their job is to empower their people to accomplish much greater together than any of them could accomplish separately.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 28 at 2018 12:18 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 12:18:56 -0400

I do my GODLY best, as a leader: to make others that I am helping, feel like they are the most important people in the World. (Person in the World.)

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 28 at 2018 12:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 12:20:08 -0400

Subordinates know when a leader genuinely cares about their welfare.

I was in a unique situation. When I was in Aviation and Armor we beat our chests and acted like we were on top of the world. I transferred again, and went Finance. I noticed it was a thankless job as we did not get much recognition despite working hard to support the soldiers. I worked on there morale. I coordinated helicopter trips for the troops and grilled food after SGT's time. I would get restaurant gift certificates and the NCOs passed them down to the hard working soldiers. We always recognized soldiers and NCOs birthdays with a cake. I wanted my soldiers to have empathy, so we had the desire to give world class service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2018 1:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 13:45:38 -0400

This is a hard question to answer without being biased. Almost ten years in and I still have trouble identifying what I truly impact and bring to a unit that creates lasting positive change. I attempt to help others out, those I mentor and try to bring experience and knowledge to their situation so they won't make the same mistakes as I did or choose to do something else. As for my soldiers of my assigned duty, I'm not entirely sure. There have been moments whereas I'm taken back with a thank you or let me know they're thrilled that I'm willing to leave dinner on the table so that any one of them can get the help they need so they're stronger and better equipped. I don't see myself as a good leader, just someone willing to lose sleep, food and comfort so that none of my soldiers felt the same way I did with my prior leaders.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 28 at 2018 2:34 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 14:34:34 -0400

Beauty or Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. The best leaders have always had those who hated them, sometime many (Patton). Some people love crappy leaders. People will tend to give the answer that strokes their ego on questions like this. I'll come clean. Bringing all my people home alive, even the dirt bags, was a big deal with me. That said, the dirt bags didn't do well under me. People who are hard chargers hate to be dragged down by dead wood. So if you asked everyone, many would say I was better than most and some would say I was crap. The crap vote heavily gravitated to the lazy end. For those who thought I needed some more heart at times, they were likely right. However, they also didn't consider that pushing someone aside (out of the service) also resets their clock and gives them an earlier start on something they might be successful on vs. pushing a dead end rope for another 5 years. You just don't know. Also time tempers opinions. We see people transition from it's about me making rank, to I just want to do a good job, to taking care of people is the best thing I can do. As I progressed, the third item became more important and I didn't care about the first at some point. So I freely admit like other young folk, it was about me and I grew up some over time. Where I am now doesn't matter much in the grand scheme as I'm retired and don't have a crowd relying on me clearing their path every day. For those who wonder why it's important to you about taking care of people, your life becomes so much easier and you get so much more done if you do. Give it a try.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jul 28 at 2018 3:56 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 15:56:45 -0400

I never understood those leaders who don’t get the concept that it’s all about the troops. Without the troops (employees) the mission will not get completed. It’s a simple leadership concept that many folks miss.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jul 30 at 2018 8:54 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 08:54:34 -0400

"When the effective leader is finished with his work, The people say it happened naturally." LAO TZU

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 30 at 2018 8:59 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 08:59:37 -0400

They need to know that their words are as important as they are.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jul 30 at 2018 11:18 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 11:18:27 -0400

Depends on the individual & the situation... attaboys are freely given & acknowledged. Ah-shits can go either way

Response by SFC James Bietau Sr. made Aug 2 at 2018 9:44 PM

SFC James Bietau Sr. — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 21:44:10 -0400

If you take care of your men they will take care of you

Response by 1SG James Matthews made Aug 5 at 2018 9:30 AM

1SG James Matthews — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 09:30:56 -0400

Let all the junior staff know that their ideas and thoughts are important. They are the future when you are gone.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Aug 11 at 2018 12:58 PM

LTC Stephan Porter — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 12:58:21 -0400

We all know that leadership has a myriad of definitions when we ask people what it is. Many can’t equate it, but know it when they see it; or can describe it when they’ve encountered good leadership.

A good leader should always be able to accomplish the mission while taking care of their people. The leader should be seen by what their people have done. That being said, I prefer the definition where leadership is intervening in the drift of an organization to achieve an end that could not otherwise have been possible.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Aug 13 at 2018 10:55 AM

MSgt Stephen Council — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:55:06 -0400

Maj Marty Hogan Every Leader can Manage, 95% of managers couldn't lead a pack of starving wolves to a rotting carcass.

Response by MAJ Vic Artiga made Aug 25 at 2018 7:53 PM

MAJ Vic Artiga — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 19:53:14 -0400

I've been retired for seven years. Perhaps things have change. The Army is FULL of toxic leaders at all levels. Unless a senior commander publishes and enforces a policy against toxic leadership, the problem will not get any better. Too many leaders prefer to lead via fear and intimidation. Why? Because it makes them feel better about themselves. Commanders tolerate such leaders if the toxic leaders area able to obtain positive results. Since senior commanders are only in command for two years, and most officers are in a job for a year, most commanders are content to sweep the issue under the rug. Today I do a great deal of consulting in the private sector. Most of the companies I deal with have WRITTEN workplace violence and anti-bullying policies. I never saw anything like that in uniform. Also, companies train employees how to deal with toxic leaders and establish a clear channel to report such behavior. What does the Army do? Not much. Toxic leaders have a serious emotional health problem. Frankly, I wouldn't trust them with a loaded firearm.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Oct 22 at 2018 9:39 AM

MSgt George Cater — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 09:39:47 -0400

Like they’re led by a combination of Chesty Puller and James Mattis.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 22 at 2018 4:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 16:42:11 -0400

It boils down to treating others the way I want to be treated. My soldiers knew I love them and it was reciprocated.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 11:05 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 23:05:06 -0400

I learned very early on from some very seasoned and long-serving officers (usually Mustangs) and senior NCOs that the most important thing I should always remember is I was not as important, once I started being promoted to increasing ranks and levels of leadership, as the people who worked directly for me. Treat them as I would like to be treated. And never put a coffee cup in my hand and then stand "lord and master" over my people as they worked (usually a deck-swabbing work party as an example). I'd like to think that keeping this sage counsel in mind during my career helped contribute to a good working environment wherever I was assigned.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Nov 17 at 2019 4:45 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 16:45:09 -0500

I try to include others in my decisions even if I don't use their idea! It gives them a sense of ownership like it did me!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 17 at 2019 5:14 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 17:14:52 -0500

Thank you for the mention sir.

Response by LT Ed Skiba made Nov 17 at 2019 5:40 PM

LT Ed Skiba — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 17:40:16 -0500

AMEN!

Response by LT Ed Skiba made Nov 17 at 2019 5:41 PM

LT Ed Skiba — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 17:41:08 -0500

Without anyone to lead it's not much of a parade.

Response by CPO Charles Helms made Nov 17 at 2019 5:47 PM

CPO Charles Helms — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 17:47:20 -0500

You cannot run a flight deck by yourself, it takes a team! Each and every person in your division is important and their inputs are valuable!! I wouldn’t have been as nearly effective leader if I hadn’t!

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Nov 17 at 2019 5:54 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 17:54:44 -0500

Excellent Share Capt Marty Hogan!!! My Brothers and Sisters on RP make ME feel Important!

Response by SN Donald Hoffman made Nov 17 at 2019 6:13 PM

SN Donald Hoffman — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 18:13:55 -0500

As manager, I always made sure the staff felt they were the most important part of the job. My job was quality control and training. In return, my teams always excelled for one simple reason, I had the utmost trust in them. They were not afraid of success or failure.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Nov 17 at 2019 6:33 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 18:33:00 -0500

Servant leaders are the best. Sadly I did not meet a lot of those during my formative years before the mast.

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Nov 17 at 2019 9:00 PM

SSG Donald H "Don" Bates — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 21:00:35 -0500

A leader makes others important.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Nov 17 at 2019 9:20 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 21:20:06 -0500

I find you let them know they are important significant to the operation and they arran important spoke in the wheel or link in the chain. They will support you. At a job I worked and we had a new kid as line helper.. when the team leader was off I was it.. snd I helped train the new kid to do one of the line jobs of putting together a quick sauce we don’t always use..,it be a special request.. thing.. we usually had a basic
Hollandaise that was the mother sauce.. this fella wanted cocktail sauce with extra horse
Radish . We had just finished a
Prawn special and our coctail sauce was gone.,, So I had junior go put some together
About a quart’s worth... and the guy wanted it extra hot.. so junior set it up and we sent it out. Every chance I could I’d call junior in and he’d be there.. Another guy I had was jealous of the young man and would make him get his empty pans and fill them And not even thank him.
“Why.. it’s his job!” Not just do you can stand around and b.s. with Rosco.. we’re slow, go get your stock snd we’ll cover . Jimmy.. go get a break bring us back a pitcher of cola. Please, thank you! .. I told them fuys when the backer fills your pans and we’re in a run . Thank him !
When cleans up duding it, thank him.. appreciate what he does !
Don’t abuse him ! I’d been where he was long ago. Don’t like being treated like a work dog and not being thanked.. even if it is my job. So I remember what it was like.. I was going to do a test run and let that abuser see what it was like but decided it wasn’t right. Because I’d become what he was, and that
Didn’t make it right just to prove a point..

Response by SFC Stephen Smith made Dec 19 at 2023 11:59 AM

SFC Stephen Smith — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:59:33 -0500

Well, I was probably too much, not important. lol. I think I was a fair leader. I didn’t get to “lead” many in my career but as an Instructor and trainer I hope I did the best I could to prepare those that I trained/led.