What are service members looking for in their leaders today?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 11:50:57 -0400

RP Members and Connection (ALL active service members, veterans, retiress, civilian supporters & recruiters, and military family members) I'd like to hear from you what you want to see in today's leaders and leadership?

What makes a good leader?

Here are some of their most important characteristics:

Self-Awareness. You have an intimate knowledge of your inner emotional state. You know your strengths and your weaknesses. You know when you’re working in flow and you know when you’re over worked. You know yourself, including your capabilities and your limitations, which allows you to push yourself to your maximum potential.

Self-Direction. You’re able to direct yourself effectively and powerfully. You know how to get things done, how to organize tasks and how to avoid procrastination. You know how to generate energy for projects, to calm yourself when angered. You can make decisions quickly when necessary, but can also slow to consider all the options on the table.

Vision. You’re working towards a goal that’s greater than yourself. It could be something small, like the success of the team, or a larger vision like world peace. Working towards a vision is far more inspiring than working towards personal gain.

Ability to Motivate. Leaders don’t lead by telling people what they have to do. Instead, leaders cause people to want to help them. A key part of this is cultivating your own desire to help others. When others sense that you want to help them, they in turn want to help you.

Social Awareness. Understanding social networks and key influencers in that social network is another key part of leadership. Who in the organization has the most clout, both officially and unofficially? Who moves the hearts of the group?

Emotional Intelligence and Leadership

Most of these traits tie directly into emotional intelligence (EQ). Leaders with high EQ are intrinsically more self-aware. They understand their mental processes and know how to direct themselves. They’re more in touch with what they’re deeply passionate about. They naturally care more for others and receive more compassion in return. They’re more socially in tune.

Leadership is more often than not about “soft skills” rather than hard skills. Yes, a leader who understands what drives the bottom line is valuable. Yet it’s the leader who can get others to perform at their best who ultimately creates winning organizations.

Response by COL Lee Flemming made Sep 10 at 2016 11:54 AM

COL Lee Flemming — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 11:54:18 -0400

Contact, honesty, integrity and competence!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 12:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 12:26:24 -0400

I see leadership that has moments of brilliance, however, the constant plague of character shortcomings has tarnished the military from the top down. It's sad when I keep hearing the same response that we have to make up for leaders shortcomings rather than those leaders being held accountable. In the end, those few brilliant leaders become the foundation to hold onto for inspiration, but I see fewer and fewer every time I change position or move up in rank. Leadership and politics run hand in hand, but when military leaders become more politician than leader, we have bureaucracy and stifled innovation.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 10 at 2016 12:30 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 12:30:48 -0400

All these are important, but one thing stands out for me above all else. The simple knowledge that you delegate authority not responsibility and not the other way around. This knowledge appears to be lacking in our top leadership in recent times.

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Sep 10 at 2016 1:50 PM

SA Jim Arnold — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 13:50:29 -0400

At the age of 20 and headed towards Desert Storm, I appreciated the friendship and knowledge my officers in the Navy offered willingly. I've looked for the same qualities in past employers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 2:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 14:10:36 -0400

I always looked for integrity. I believe all other leadership traits can be learned but either they had integrity or they didn't. I also believed if they didn't have integrity they couldn't have the other traits. They could only pretend they did.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 10 at 2016 3:23 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 15:23:08 -0400

One of the key traits many of my Leaders and Commanders looked for was Loyalty, Dedication, and The Ability to maintain Mission Focus in and Under all situations...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 4:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 16:08:03 -0400

Focus on team interest, build and maintain trust and relationships, take care of those surrounding him/her.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Sep 10 at 2016 4:10 PM

TSgt Melissa Post — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 16:10:13 -0400

I am currently attending ALS (Airman Leadership School) and we are learning all about this topic. As a follower I can now see why leaders do some of the things that they do. However, i also know what I want from my leadership and will try to use that when I become a leader myself.

I like the leaders that don't try to cover up their real meanings, leaders with integrity. I want a leader that knows how to talk to me and mentor me. I know that I tend to wear blinders because I can only see what my rank allows. At those times it is needed for leadership to kindly guide me into their perspective. How else will i develop to see things from a greater perspective or learn how they think if I am not taught? Granted at times I will have to do something with the explanation of "Because I need it done." but if/when the moment allows, that is the time to sit down and explain more of how this affects the mission or why it was important. I guess overall, mentorship is a huge thing to me as well as knowing how to talk to your followers.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 10 at 2016 5:09 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 17:09:09 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Integrity stands out more than anything else to me.
If a leader has integrity most everything else will follow and so will their soldiers(subordinates).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 7:25 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 19:25:37 -0400

Sobriety

Response by SGT Michael Hamrac, MBA, MRP, GRI, REALTOR® made Sep 10 at 2016 9:18 PM

SGT Michael Hamrac, MBA, MRP, GRI, REALTOR® — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 21:18:11 -0400

All of these plus honesty! Post this graphic in the break rooms of Congress and the White House...for current...and future leaders..

Response by PO3 Michael James made Sep 12 at 2016 10:42 AM

PO3 Michael James — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 10:42:48 -0400

Same as before.. lead by EXAMPLE.. Clean our own house for a change, tired of all this "hot-air".. just Honest, Sincere efforts would be appreciated !!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 12 at 2016 3:38 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:38:51 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs: Leadership, empathy, compassion, excellence, expects excellence, inspiration, expects good sportsmanship, integrity, good communication skills, trust...
Thank you, Mikel. I think you are an outstanding leader.
Take Care, Margaret

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 13 at 2016 2:49 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 14:49:22 -0400

Thanks for posting an intriguing question as usual my friend COL Mikel J. Burroughs. To be honest I expert the answer to your question has as many unique answers as there are service members. In general I expect service-members would look for integrity, respect, competence, courage, the desire to lead by example as well as the ability to both train and train with subordinates in their leaders.

Response by LTC Jesse Edwards made Sep 19 at 2016 11:45 AM

LTC Jesse Edwards — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:45:22 -0400

I will just comment on the diagram. The arrows are pointing in the wrong direction. Those are attributes of good leadership that radiate out to others.
Also one of my pet peeves on leadership is that "Experience" is almost always left off.
Since it is football season, who would you rather have quarterbacking your team? A kid with two games under his belt or one with 30+ games?
All things being equal, having been there before matters.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 20 at 2016 8:17 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 08:17:51 -0400

Vision, setting the example, recognition, encouragement and integrity are just a few that come to mind COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2016 6:14 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:14:19 -0400

Prior Military Service for starters...because the 14 Traits of a Leader that we're taught applies to any leadership position.

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Sep 25 at 2016 12:28 PM

MAJ Karen Wall — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 12:28:51 -0400

Be kind. When you are placed in a position of leadership, your kindness chip does not get deactivated. When you are kind, everything else falls into place.

Response by PFC Ronald Maddox made Sep 26 at 2016 7:35 PM

PFC Ronald Maddox — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 19:35:30 -0400

Integrity and straightforwardness something not found in this PC overkill world

Response by SA McGarry Ocheltree made Nov 14 at 2016 3:40 PM

SA McGarry Ocheltree — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:40:03 -0500

For me I would say that I look for and respect above other traits, the willingness to take the fall/blame before taking credit, the integrity is definately another big highlight for me. Mostly though when following orders given to me while in the service it was largely out of respect that I complied and also I knew that no task would be assigned to me that the one assigning the task would not be willing to do them self if they had to.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Jan 25 at 2017 12:43 PM

LTC Orlando Illi — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 12:43:30 -0500

Lead by example and NEVER require your subordinates to never do anything you yourself cannot or will not do. When I was a Company Commander (1982 -83) my written policy was that I would give out a 4 day pass to anyone that would beat or TIE my PT Test Score. I maxed 5 PT tests when I was a Company Commander and issued very few 4 day passes - but the ones I did issue were earned through hard work and dedication. One PFC went to the IG and complained that my policy was to restrictive in that he had to Max the PT test in order to get a 4 day pass. The IG told me that he had to suppress a smirk when he told him that he had no case and that maybe he should try harder in that I made it clear that anyone had to beat or TIE my score in order to qualify for a 4 Day pass.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 25 at 2017 12:50 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 12:50:06 -0500

Common Sense!
Quit doing stupid crap.
Not directed at anyone in particular.......General Prateaus , Bill Clinton, etc.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 27 at 2018 4:32 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 04:32:48 -0500

Do subordinates respect leaders who are obviously unhealthy and unfit and not only they look it but they also show it during physical training?