Posted on Dec 2, 2015
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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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.
Edited 10 y ago
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Responses: 14
LTC Stephen F.
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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.
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PFC David Ryba
PFC David Ryba
10 y
Amen!
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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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!
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SPC Margaret Higgins
SPC Margaret Higgins
10 y
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, You can know with certainty, that you have always come through for me; when I have counted on you.
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PFC David Ryba
PFC David Ryba
10 y
You got that right, Bob.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
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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! :)
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PFC David Ryba
PFC David Ryba
10 y
Great story, Curtis.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
MSgt Curtis Ellis
10 y
PFC David Ryba - Thank you for reading!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
10 y
MSgt Curtis Ellis Awesome - thanks for sharing!
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Leaders when is the last time you noticed?
CPT Jack Durish
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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.
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PFC David Ryba
PFC David Ryba
10 y
Well said, Jack.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
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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.
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SSG Detachment Sergeant
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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.
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SSG Audwin Scott
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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.
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LTC Bink Romanick
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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.
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PFC David Ryba
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Great advice, Mike. That's what I've been saying for years.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
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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.
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PFC David Ryba
PFC David Ryba
10 y
Good point, Margaret!
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