The military is a leader-producing machine, but all leaders are different. What is your style of leadership and how does it help you succeed?

CPT Christopher Coker — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 10:06:31 -0400

Response by SPC Brett Curry made Oct 12 at 2017 10:13 AM

SPC Brett Curry — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 10:13:08 -0400

The hard part for me has been learning how to transfer what you learned about leadership from the military to cavilian life. Certain things that are common in the military will never be accepted in a cavilian carrer. But the one thing that has worked for me everytime is making sure that everyone is part of the team. And one person's accomplishments are the teams accomplishments.

Response by TSgt Bruce Davis made Oct 12 at 2017 10:18 AM

TSgt Bruce Davis — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 10:18:27 -0400

this is an EXCELLENT question! I have served in the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. I have seen my share of good and terrible leaders (the "do as I say, not as I do" are the worst!)...and believe me you can learn from both! as for me, I'm the "do as I do" type. I would never expect anyone to do anything that I have not done in the past (or present). set the example, let subordinates see you perform a task, even if it's only once, and even if it's a menial task...they will respect you for it.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 12 at 2017 10:27 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 10:27:25 -0400

This is how I see it. As a leader, or supervisor, I'm the quarterback. Those under my supervision are my receivers, running backs, and tight ends. It is not necessarily my job to get the ball to the end zone, rather I need to get the ball to one of my guys so they can get it there. I believe the same goes for being a leader. The mission is not necessarily my responsibility. I facilitate and direct in order for my subordinates to get the job done.

That being said, no one is going to work there butt of to put points on the board for a leader that treats them like crap. It is because of this that I believe that a leader, both military and civilian, need to demonstrate empathy and care about their people. In the military that might mean making sure your guys get the comp time they deserve or protect them from the bs that always seems to pop up when it's time to go home for the day. In the civilian world it is more like being understanding about emergencies that may come up, working the schedule to allow people to have the days off for special events, and being prepared to step up if someone needs to call in sick. Although it isn't necessarily the QBs job to move that ball, if there are no other options, sometimes you just have to suck it up and run. Take care of your people and they will take care of you and in turn the organization.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2017 10:37 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 10:37:07 -0400

CPT Christopher Coker My style is simple. I will not ask those that I lead to do something that I am unwilling to do. If I am unable to do it, I will make it evident & I will be there learning from those that do know how to do it.
In the civilian world, you quickly learn the difference between a leader and a manager. I have a fellow member of my KofC council who fancies himself a leader. However, he is nothing but a manager. He gives instructions, but then steps back & watches everyone else do all the work. When asked to pitch in, his reply is something along the lines of "I'm supervising, I don't help out."
That is no way to build rapport or respect. When people see that those in charge are willing to get down and dirty with them, or are readily able to admit they don't know how to do something, but are more that ready to learn, the respect level blasts through the roof. There's skin in the game, you know? The barrier is a little more transparent. Granted, it becomes a bit more difficult to maintain the separation of leadership vs friendship, but the trade-off is, most of the time, well worth it when you look at what your team can accomplish if they know you have their back.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Oct 12 at 2017 11:13 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 11:13:39 -0400

Right now, I have to lead by example. In the future, I hope to lead by helping the team trouble shoot situations/exams in a calm and professional manner.

I do have to be a lot more careful around civilians. They do not always understand the mission must be completed and there will be no crying for your MOMMIE!

Now, you folks get back to work and call me if you run into trouble. I will be at the VFW Post gaining insights to current events from the Senior Enlisted and listening to the same SMSgt's story of when he was in Alaska.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Oct 12 at 2017 2:23 PM

SSgt Gary Andrews — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 14:23:21 -0400

Set the example - make sure your staff knows what is expected of them - make sure they have the training and resources they need to succeed.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Oct 12 at 2017 3:00 PM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:00:02 -0400

I want to be a liar and a cheat. I want to deceit my troops and pretend I know everything. And whatever I say is true and unquestionable. If someone questioned or challenge my judgment, I will post it on social media calling them losers and a fake.

Response by SGT Daniel Hagerty made Oct 12 at 2017 3:05 PM

SGT Daniel Hagerty — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:05:38 -0400

Lead from the front, set the example, and remember where you came from. For me I try but not always succeeded in these tasks daily. I’ve always jump in when needed but for the most part direct the task at hand, and when able use each moment to train or teach my staff something they want to know or learn. Sometimes we may be in time critical situations and it may seem as I am an NCO again giving orders and not explaining things, but as I did when I was an NCO would go back and use the moment as a teachable moment. praise in public correct in private.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2017 3:38 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:38:24 -0400

My style has always been that of the quiet leader. I don't yell much and I don't let my emotions come through as much as I can help it. My philosophy is that no matter what's going on, the look on your face should tell everyone around you that that's exactly what you expected to happen. I expect everyone to do their jobs and I don't tolerate excuses. I listen to others and never assume that I have all the answers.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Oct 12 at 2017 5:37 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:37:39 -0400

Leadership, true leadership is a gift. Few are born natural leaders but many are born poor leaders. My leadership came from trial and error, watching very good leaders and piss poor ones. I was fortunate enough to have many more good leaders that crappy ones. I took small pieces of good leadership and made them my own through trial and error. I was never so full of myself that I could not admit a mistake or pay for those mistakes as shown in my rank roller coaster ride. Being a good leader is doing whats right regardless of the personal cost. What is even more important is not creating piss poor leaders as you go up through the ranks. Sitting on many promotion boards I can honestly say that I have created only three failures in 35 years. Two of which I corrected and a third self corrected shortly after pinning on SSG. The worst thing a leader can do is lower the standard and promote someone who is not ready or will never be. You corrupt the NCO Corp and demotivate young Soldiers looking for better leadership and better examples for themselves to live up to.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Oct 12 at 2017 6:50 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 18:50:36 -0400

Wow!...where were you guys when I needed you?! Even though I've left the military seven years ago, I still have the "broken-burnt" wings to prove it. Good advice, though.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Oct 12 at 2017 11:54 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 23:54:20 -0400

In its simplest form, your people come first. I've seen some teams do incredible things as long as they knew their leader genuinely care about them & their success.

Response by SGT Aaron Barbee made Oct 14 at 2017 1:28 AM

SGT Aaron Barbee — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 01:28:01 -0400

I had great leaders that I emulated in the military, and have recently started being more along the lines of an adaptive leader. Being in the construction/renovation industry, I've had employees with any number of personal and/or professional issues that required not only their time, but some of mine as well. I've learned this year that many of my leaders that I emulated were similar in their approach to each individual's needs. Some people need a swift kick in the nuts, some need to be dropped off their pedestal, some need constructive feedback, other need feedback period, and still others can be left to their own devices and still move the project forward. Learn your team members, I know it sucks asking about family and getting somewhat personal with them, but the more you know, the easier it is to give them purpose and direction. There is no one size fits all leadership style/role that works for all subordinates, so you have to take it case by case and figure out what makes them tick.

-edit- On a side note, because of my industry I am always hiring/working with other contractors that do something I know nothing about, and try to learn everything I can from them. I've found it helps immensely when working alongside other skilled tradesmen to know their craft, even if just enough to get by as an apprentice. They appreciate the effort, and are more willing to follow your lead if you're willing to learn and not just point.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2017 1:56 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 01:56:38 -0400

1) I will jump in front of the bullets for you when you are in the right
2) I will NEVER eat before you
3) Get the mission done asap, and correctly, then let's go grab a beer.

Response by SGT Mark Friedman made Oct 30 at 2017 5:00 PM

SGT Mark Friedman — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:00:37 -0400

I taught in a retraining USAR school. In my school team, I was always the junior NCO.... I l always tried to reach out and be " Let's do one for the Gipper".... Rarely was I the instructor out yelling....