Leaders when is the last time you noticed?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:39:42 -0500

Leaders when is the last time you noticed?

RP Members, Current Leaders, and Future Leaders. When was the last time you took a moment out of your day to notice those around you that are part of your success as a leader or those that are a critical part of your team or organization?

It is easy to get caught up in your own agenda, goals, and priorities - take a break and notice those around you! Make their day and build a stronger team in the process! Just my opinion - I'm sure there are other Leaders that will add to this conversation - I'm sure of it!

http://leadingwithtrust.com/2015/11/15/leaders-when-is-the-last-time-you-noticed/

I have to admit, it’s easy for me not to notice. I get focused on my own goals and priorities and everything else around me seems to fade from view. That focused attention is a good thing when I need to meet a deadline or accomplish an important task, but when it comes to leading people, it’s a deadly mistake. I can get so wrapped up in my own agenda that I neglect to notice the needs of my team members.

I know I’m not alone here. Many people fall into the same trap because they think that’s what leaders are supposed to do. Make decisions, be in lots of meetings, and wear our busyness like a badge of courage. Let me be the first to break the news to you—that’s not how you should lead. We need to be more available. A leader’s best ability is availability.

You may not think being a good “noticer” is important but I’d argue otherwise. I think it’s one of the top priorities for leaders because it makes you other-focused rather than self-focused.

Leaders - When Is The Last Time You Noticed?

I have to admit, it's easy for me not to notice. I get focused on my own goals and priorities and everything else around me seems to fade from view. That focused attention is a good thing when I ne...

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 2 at 2015 8:43 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:43:02 -0500

Last time I noticed is Monday of this week, my student assistant graduates next week and I didn't realize this was her last week working for me, I had often giving her Praise because she has been the best student assistant by far that I have had and she will be truly missed.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 2 at 2015 8:43 AM

MAJ Alvin B. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:43:24 -0500

Excellent reminder. As leaders it is our responsibility to notice what is happening at every level. Being aware, acknowledging, encouraging, correcting when necessary are all essential to everyone's success.
Another important skill is to learn to know when not to notice what is happening. Just because you notice, it does not always mean you have to intervene.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 2 at 2015 9:37 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:37:50 -0500

I pray for some of the people who helped me while I was a leaders as part of my daily prayer list - God put them on my heart and I remember those people daily COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
I also pray for the POTUS as the Bible instructs us to pray for those appointed over us that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. I have been praying for the POTUS and his wife since HW Bush was President. I also pray for teh members of the SCOTUS and select members for Congress.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 9:57 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:57:00 -0500

This is something that I try to do for both my detachment and fire department jobs.

The important thing is that I see that I was in there shoes not to long ago. They are also a reflection of what I have done to train, lead, and motivate them. As usual all of my team does a great job and works hard. I show them appreciation all the time from as little as a hand shake and Thanks, as well as bring them coffee and donuts on our long days. Also the occasional award submission never hurts. Regardless of any success, they are all the reason why it happens.

Leaders can always make themselves look good on paper. The respect and trust that the subordinates give us more important to me.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 2 at 2015 10:37 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:37:35 -0500

Whenever I talk to someone about my successes as an Army officer I always mention the fantastic NCOs I was fortunate to have had riding shotgun with me. It was truly a team effort in those days, an experience I sorely miss in the civilian world. Now days, it seems most people are only out for themselves and their agenda, not what's best for the team. Promoting and pinning medals on young soldiers and watching them grow and become NCOs, watching those young 2LTs take on greater responsibility and become 1LTs and CPTs, - there's no words to describe the sense of pride you feel knowing that you had a small hand in your subordinates' successes because you provided the environment and leadership that led to their success. "To us and those like us, there's damn few of us left!"

Than being said, in my latest job, I work for a manager who truly does take care of his team in many ways. Though not former military, he knows the value of teamwork and backing his teams play. I give my boss Steve high marks for the efforts he makes in providing a good work environment and leadership!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 2 at 2015 1:43 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 13:43:28 -0500

Giving thanks and recognition to subordinates is second only to protecting them from senior officers who want to jump the chain of command to berate them. One of the sad side effects of being an overly aggressive junior officer is that my superiors wanted to avoid me and jump all over my NCOs and junior enlisted for what they perceived as my offenses. (Inasmuch as I accomplished my duties/mission without fail, their complaints were limited to the manner in which my group performed them - usually in spite of their meddling). Anything my subordinates did was my responsibility and I made sure that they were always shielded from those who were displeased with me. If they screwed up there was only one person they had to answer to and that was me.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 2 at 2015 3:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:53:14 -0500

Thank you for the input. Units are self propelling machines, however good leadership will facilitate personal, professional growth, and the appropriate azimuth. Congratulations on your retirement!

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Dec 2 at 2015 3:58 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:58:10 -0500

The leader of the team is only PART of the team - it takes a team to win. This is always in the forefront of my mind and the first thing out of my mouth when I get a chance to speak with anyone is to let them know there were a LOT of good men and women who I served with and they are directly responsible for the stripes on my sleeve - I would not have been able to do anything without them.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Dec 2 at 2015 4:37 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:37:36 -0500

Very, VERY good point COL Mikel J. Burroughs. There are those that depend on me; and I have to admit that I need to pay more attention to Their needs; rather than my own.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 2 at 2015 5:33 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:33:07 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Unknowingly pretty much on a daily basis as many of my former instructors are now my peers, as well as many of my former students. And now? We are all a winning team sharing the same goals and missions! I agree that being a good “noticer” is important, as are many other traits, and had it not been for your post, I wouldn't have given it a second thought, nor would I have realized that, although "retired", I still carry many traits and habits of that leader I thought I had stopped being a long time ago...
Thanks for the reminder! :)

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Dec 2 at 2015 6:25 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:25:28 -0500

My first post military civilian supervisor was so gracious and praised us publicly that he reinforced what I learned in the Marine Corps. It took the "team" to be successful. As such, praise in public and admonish in private was the mantra he taught me. Only one time did it have a negative effect, one year I asked my supervisor to reduce my performance evaluation so that the funds allocated for rewards could be a larger figure for the employees who worked for us. Negative because some years later a RIF (reduction in force) occurred and I was short by just a bit to have bumped another employee who had a cake job. I ended up with a pretty good gig anyway. I would always place my employees in the spot light when things were good. There was one time I had them witness me take full responsibility for a miss step. Privately I jumped their business for the failure. By me accepting responsibility in front of my supervisor and peers, my employees busted butt to make sure I never had to do that again. Always publicly praising my team for their efforts reaped great rewards. Privately when I sat down with my supervisor for my performance evaluation, I was able to show my services' successes as a result of my management.

Response by PFC David Ryba made Dec 3 at 2015 7:35 AM

PFC David Ryba — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 07:35:12 -0500

Great advice, Mike. That's what I've been saying for years.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Dec 3 at 2015 7:49 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 07:49:06 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs "Take care of your troops and they'll take care of you" you have to look around and notice your folks, know them and know about them. If you show that you're interested, they will return that loyalty.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 3 at 2015 8:44 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:44:29 -0500

A lot of good commentary.
Good leaders understand that their success is at least in part based upon the success of those around them. As a good leader it is critical to let people know they are valued, and appreciated and part of the team. Everyone likes to hear that.

Sadly, one of the flaws with many promotional systems (where packages are submitted) is that they lack inclusion of things done in team settings and focus only on the "me" factor. While a great many promotions involve the individual, there are very few jobs/missions that are accomplished by individuals.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 24 at 2021 10:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:04:16 -0500

A good leader will set the conditions of success for the subordinates by monitoring, supervising, advising, providing overhead cover, mentoring, conducting the close and deep fight, and painting the picture of the battlefield. If the subordinates fail the leader fails as well.

Invest in the soldiers so they can grow professionally and personally. I have fond memories of superiors who had a genuine interest and mentored me. Perhaps some soldiers have fond memories of CPT Landgren who gave a damn about his soldiers. If my fidelity was true, maybe, just maybe they learned something from me that will last them a lifetime.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 24 at 2021 11:29 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 23:29:41 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs That was one of my problems with the command structure. I could not get the Xxx to notice! ‘Nuf said!