learn by watching

MSG Martinis Butler — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 23:54:05 -0500

Do you believe that more things are caught than taught? Meaning by your display of great leadership makes others see you and want to emulate you more than your method of teaching by yelling, cursing, and screaming to prove your point?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 18 at 2013 12:28 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 00:28:14 -0500

Soldiers are always watching. They are always taking in what they see. If you do the right thing all the time, even in the face of unpopularity and adversity, they will see that and should strive to emulate that type of behavior. On the flip side, if all you do day in and day out is curse, scream and yell, your Soldiers will tune you out, seek guidance and counsel elsewhere and you will become the topic of jokes and ridicule in the barracks in the evenings after COB.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 18 at 2013 12:48 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 00:48:13 -0500

Yes! This is exactly how I learned how to wobble.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 1:41 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 01:41:15 -0500

One of my first company commanders told me when I was a young LT, "Every commander is an example....some are just an example of what not to be." This plays into your question. You people are generally going to emulate the leadership they identify with and if it is a great leadership they will develop well but if they are mentored by a bad leader, one who uses the methods you listed, the effect would be far different.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 6:02 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 06:02:41 -0500

BE! KNOW! DO! ....'Nuff said.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 6:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 06:22:03 -0500

The technique of emulation is, in my own opinion, one of the primary concepts behind leading from the front and mentorship. I can honestly say that to this day I can still remember the Drill Sergeants and AIT Instructors who trained me 12 years ago and which of them I aspired to be like. Though situation will always dictate method, how effective is the yelling, cursing, or physical discipline if there is truly no lesson being taught behind it? Some look at the approach as being soft, but in the bigger picture of things leading requires far more than authority over others. So I for one can say that in the 8 years I've been a Noncommissioned Officer more have been willing to blindly follow when they see something in you that they to want to become. Very, very effective ways to train, lead, and mentor all around.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 19 at 2013 7:48 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:48:58 -0500

Soldiers more attention pay to what you do than what you say.

Soldiers will only interpret you as being genuine if you walk the talk.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 19 at 2013 7:55 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:55:48 -0500

There are three types of learners; visual, auditory, and psychomotor. Basically, those who learn by seeing, those who learn by listening, and those who learn by doing. If you truly want to ensure that you reach your target audience, you must tailor your training to cater to all three tyes of learners.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 8:08 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 08:08:51 -0500

It takes both the teaching, coaching, mentoring (minus the negative approach) as well as the example. I truly enjoy NCOPD and imparting what I have learned over the years with my NCOs. I also try to BE a positive example out of the classroom. If I have a NCOPD on counseling and instruct my NCOs on the frequency of these counseling's, then fail to counsel my Retention NCO, driver, the 1SGs in need of mentorship, Soldiers going to NCOES courses, etc... then I have failed to meet the expectations I have placed on them. FYI...SFC Butler, I am using that "caught not taught" phrase in my next time in the classroom. Great stuff...

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Dec 19 at 2013 8:15 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 08:15:59 -0500

I think I learned more about HOW to be an NCO by watching the good and bad NCOs that I interacted with over the course of my 26 years than I ever learned in a schoolhouse environment. I have at various times been a yeller and curser and later a more quiet leader, I think that I and my style evolved as I matured and the Soldiers I led became more mature. Both styles had there effective points and there detractors, but at the time were necessary.

Response by LtCol Dann Chesnut made Jan 10 at 2014 11:15 AM

LtCol Dann Chesnut — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 11:15:01 -0500

"Smart people learn from their experience", "Wise people learn from other's experience". I try to be in the "Wise" category as much as possible.