Over a career, we hear from Leaders their Golden Rules or Guides of Leadership or Top 3 _______. What are yours?

SSG Alleria Stanley — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:02:44 -0500

For example, I've had many a Sergeant Major or Colonel give a speech and list their Three Rules of Army Life that they've learned over their career.  It's gotten me thinking now that I'm halfway through my career, what are mine?<br><br>So far:<br><br>  >  Ask BEFORE you pounce.   As NCOs, we so often jump on a Soldier before learning the facts.  Very often, there's extenuating circumstances.<br>  >  Believe in the good of the people.  Learned this in my civilian career.  People are inherently good, meaning that the Soldier is likely not trying to get over, but more likely just screwed up.<br>  >  Know the rules of the game you're playing.  My Soldiers have heard this OFTEN.  There are hundreds of regulations, and you can't know them ALL, BUT there's no reason not to know the ones that apply to what you're doing at the moment.  If you're taking an APFT, know the rules about the APFT.  Facing overweight? Learn AR 600-9.  Curious about your NCOER?  Read the regulation AND the DA PAM.  Because for damn sure, the ones above you have.  As I am fond of saying, if you're playing Monopoly, you want to know when the banker is cheating, so why is your career any different?<br><br>So, what are your three nuggets of knowledge?

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 5 at 2014 7:33 PM

SFC James Baber — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:33:43 -0500

I always told my Soldiers to know their jobs, themselves and their leadership, and most of the rest would pretty much fall into place.

We as NCOs and officers know it is much more complicated than that, but it makes it easier for them to cope and not be stressed about having to know it all at the junior level, but gradually add more to their knowledge base as they mature and move up in their jobs and potential for leadership.

It is simple, but it is the base for all Soldiers, even NCOs and Officers at times as well.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2014 7:34 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:34:58 -0500

SSG Stanley, excellent question, here's the three rules that I've learned thus far 1) first, a take-off of the phrase popularized by President Reagan, "Trust your folks, just ensure that you verify the results." As a leader you are ultimately responsible, 2) next, tell your people 'what' result you're looking for, and leave it up to them on 'how' to accomplish it. The only caveat being if you get the ol' "deer caught in the headlights" look when sharing the 'what,' you may have to offer some recommendations from your own experience, or potentially pair them with someone to help the project along. Also, refer to rule one to ensure positive results overall... and finally, 3) "share the successes" (with your folks, give them the credit for their hard work and celebrate their success(es) both individually and as a team), "take responsibility for failures" (as they're a necessary component for success, and a responsible leader absorbs the impact of any failures that happen along the way), and "enjoy the ride" (remain in the moment and enjoy what you do, as you will very likely recall these later as among the best years of your life)! Again, great question, I hope that these are helpful and that you get a lot of feedback on this thread... wishing you all the best and continued success in the New Year! V/r Maj B

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jan 5 at 2014 7:46 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:46:35 -0500

This is definitely be a discussion I'm interested in reading. I like how you kept your comments short and to the point!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2014 8:13 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 20:13:27 -0500

1) Keep a cookie jar/piggy bank. Give to your subordinates by "depositing" into the bank by helping them (giving them family time, taking care of a financial issues, etc). Withdraw from the bank when you need to hit them up for things (keeping them late, etc). Never let the piggy bank go negative or to zero.

2) Treat everyone you work with from PVT to SMA to General the same - with respect, like a human. Everyone in the Army is an adult by the time they arrive at their first unit. Leaders need to quit demeaning their subordinates and kissing ass to superiors.

3) Know what you are talking about. Quit being the leader that says "this is the way we have already done it" or "I heard that...." - know the regulation, FM, ADP, etc and cite it. You don't have to memorize every book in the Army. But you need to know where to look and how to search on Google, and then be willing to spend the time to find it. Example - as an S2 NCOIC I told the troop 1SG and CDRs they couldn't store classified material in their two drawer safe with their arms room keys. It took me like a week to find the answer IN WRITING. Even though I KNEW the answer to be true, I didn't want to be THE GUY that just quoted air.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jan 6 at 2014 12:17 AM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 00:17:33 -0500

<p>Remember where you started from, take the time to mentor, and develop the next generation. Do not eat your future, provide them with grace and the ability to be heard.</p><p><br></p><p>Admit when your wrong and give credit where credit is due.</p><p><br></p><p>Remember it is not about you, the importance of taking the lessons learned from those that have served and down load into the next generation.</p>

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jan 6 at 2014 12:54 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 00:54:35 -0500

My top 3?

1. Have integrity, it takes care of everything.

2. Don't give away everything you know.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2014 1:19 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 01:19:51 -0500

For me it was: Integrity, ethics and honesty.

But, I have seen quite a few good responses so far that rank up there.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 6 at 2014 3:55 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 15:55:26 -0500

I like every single one you mentioned... I'm stealing those..

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jan 7 at 2014 3:06 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 03:06:27 -0500

1. Do as you say, being a hypocrite will cause distrust quickly, if a leader isn't trusted they will not get the best of those that work for them.

2. Its more important your subordinates respect you not fear you. When people follow a leader out of respect they will do nearly anything, when they follow out of fear, they will look for every way to under mind you.

3. Communication: communicating what a leader wants is paramount, just because they think it in their head does not mean they are expressing it correctly enough that what they are thinking is actually done.

I know its only 3 but i'm putting in a 4th

4.Trust: without trust for them or from them, there is nothing.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Jan 7 at 2014 4:43 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 04:43:18 -0500

Great question SSG Stanley............<div><br></div><div>This is by know means an exhaustive list and others have listed some great things that I follow as well.<br></div><div><br></div><div>1) Be a servant leader, truly care about those you work with and demonstrate it in everything you do, understand that your role is to make others successful</div><div><br></div><div>2) Improve your unit, your Soldiers and your self every day, preparation allows you to make the most of opportunities, there is no such as luck/fortune</div><div><br></div><div>3) You can do everything with a positive attitude better than you can with a negative attitude - you may not choose the situation, but you do choose how you respond</div><div><br></div>

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jan 7 at 2014 6:47 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 06:47:07 -0500

1.  Always take care of your Sailors.<br>2.  Never forget where you came from.<br>3.  Praise in public, reprimand in private.<br>4.  Listen to what all of your sailors have to say, never discount inputs from the most junior sailor.  They look at things in a different perspective.<br>5.  Get an education while you're in.  If not to help you make rank, to help you when you get out.<br>6.  Be the role model not the do what I say and not what I do guy.  Set the example for all to follow.<br>

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2014 7:04 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 07:04:23 -0500

1. Every choice you make must be made with reverence for the fact that there are people counting on you to make a good decision. The reason for your existence is to lead them and bring them home alive and nothing besides accomplishing the mission is more important than that.

2. Always be out front. If you have to split your platoon or company to do two missions at the same time, always go with the more difficult or more dangerous mission. Your Soldiers will know and they will respect you for it. If you don't always do this, they will know that, too, and they will lose respect for you.

3. (for officers) Trust your NCOs, but follow your gut. Don't feel chained to the notion that they drill into you in IBOLC or whatever branch school you went to that you must always listen to your platoon sergeant. Don't get me wrong: it is ESSENTIAL that you ask for input from your platoon sergeant and squad leaders because they will show you a different perspective and challenge your ideas. Sometimes, however, you really do know better, regardless of the rhetoric and the jokes that the lower enlisted Soldiers throw around. I used to be an NCO before I commissioned, so I feel qualified to say that even brand new officers know a lot more than most people think they do. Above all, you know right from wrong and always do what's right, even if your platoon sergeant and squad leaders are hounding you to do something else. It takes personal courage to not take their advice, but as long as your NCOs know beyond a doubt that you trust them and value their input, they will respect you.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jan 7 at 2014 6:39 PM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 18:39:33 -0500

Leadership is about service...to those below you; to those above you, and to your peers. We spend all of our lives trying to get to positions of responsibility, and once there it becomes our responsibility to care for those in our sphere of influence.

You must keep learning. Read. Ask questions. Seek other opinions/ideas. Rely on those around you to inform you and mold you because it is not possible in this lifetime to make all of the mistakes you will need to make in order to learn all that you need to know to be good at your job.

Remember where you came from because God is watching.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jan 8 at 2014 8:41 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 08:41:21 -0500

Being a Drill Sergeant, the answer is pretty simple and can be found in the Drill Sergeant Creed.

Paragraph Four - "I will lead by example,never requiring a Soldier to attempt a task I have not done myself"

Paragraph One - "I will assist each individual in their efforts to become a highly motivated, well disciplined, physically and mentally fit Soldier, capable of defeating any enemy on today's modern battlefield."

Paragraph Five - "First, last and always, I am American Soldier, sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic"

If you can't find the answer in one of those paragraphs, it's not worth the effort.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Jan 8 at 2014 2:15 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 14:15:47 -0500

1. Don't treat the symptoms and neglect the cause.
2. Always be aware that I may be the cause. "When things go wrong in your command, start searching for the reason in increasingly larger concentric circles around your own desk." - Bruce Clarke
3. "Never let a promising career stand in the way of a good joke" - Peter Pace

Response by LtCol Brent Norquist made Mar 15 at 2014 6:19 PM

LtCol Brent Norquist — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 18:19:29 -0400

1.  Bloom where you are planted.<div>2.  Don't forget to "fly the airplane" (i.e. don't get so involved in the small stuff that you forget what's vital)</div><div>3.  It is more important to do the "right thing" than it is to be "right".</div>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 4:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 16:28:19 -0500

1. Know what battles are worth fighting for, because some are just not worth the trouble.

2. Integrity is something that you must have at all times, even when people are not looking.

3. Always be there for your soldiers under you, because they are the ones that you are training to take your spot when you move up. Teach and mentor them the way that you wanted to taken care of, because knowledge is power.