What are some of the main ways you see your leadership skills impacting your workplace performance?

2016-09-10T11:59:57-04:00

Leadership skills can play a large role in career development. Often, your technical skills can only take you so far. To help you move forward in your career, you need soft skills such as the ability to be a good leader. Therefore, leadership skills are considered to be important traits which can help you get to the top of your career field.

Few people are born to be leaders. Most of us need to practice being a good leader, and that's why leadership development is so important. There are many different types of leadership, and there are many skillsets that can help you become a successful leader.

CAPT Michael Moran 1SG Randy Book SSG Eduardo Ybarra Jr. MS Psyc PO2 Richard C.Richard VisconteCPT W Brown SGT Michael Harbison SGT David Lacks SSgt James Cottrell SP5 Rod Bernsen TSgt Robert Allen Steve Newsom SSgt Craig DanielsonPre-CommissionCPO Private RallyPoint Member SPC Rikk Hillicoss LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr SFC Private RallyPoint MemberCPO Tony Hatzenbuehler

Response by COL Lee Flemming made Sep 10 at 2016 12:02 PM

2016-09-10T12:02:09-04:00

Coalitions of the willing and capable...really trusting in the abilities of my subordinates!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 10 at 2016 12:18 PM

2016-09-10T12:18:54-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I don't formally/officially work. For one thing I have disabilities.
However, I am the Coach of groups on Facebook: my 'Group for Suicidal Active Duty and for Suicidal Veterans', The link to my my 'Group for Veterans with Mental Health Issues...or Not', is the following: http//:http://www.facebook.com/groupforsuicidalactivedutyandforsuicidalveterans
my 'Group for Police Officers: Suicidal/Depressed/PTSD', my 'Margaret C Higgins US Army (Ret)' group, and my 'FINE ARTS PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: MARGARET CHRISTIE HIGGINS SHAUN' group.
Thusly, I am a photographer; and I try to coach- lead, mentor, guide, help out and cheer up Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, Retirees, and in general- people: wherever I am and wherever I go.
-Good Morning, Mikel!
-Margaret

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

Response by PO2 Kristy Williams made Sep 10 at 2016 12:52 PM

2016-09-10T12:52:08-04:00

On a daily basis I use leadership skills while communicating to my patients about their health issues. Education and communication are the largest parts of my job.

Response by SSgt Paul Esquibel made Sep 10 at 2016 2:31 PM

2016-09-10T14:31:10-04:00

For me, having had such a diverse military career where you are exposed to many different types of cultures, ideas and characters it gave me the ability to be more flexible in the civilian sector when addressing an issue or when propelling a new or existing company policy. I think we are most fortunate that we are made to work together and because we have been forced to adjust to others outside of our comfort bubbles it allows us to understand many point of views which in turn allows you to make a better informed decision in matters.

Response by SGT Rick Bell made Sep 11 at 2016 2:16 PM

2016-09-11T14:16:45-04:00

I remembered when I was first made an NCO E-5 in the Army while in Germany. A few people had the idea I would be a tyrant because I pushed my fellow soldiers to do their job right. Not a "dick" mind you but just do it right the first time kinda thing. A month later one of the most troublesome soldiers in our Company told me "I thought you was going to be a dick but you're not!" That was a compliment in itself, but I found out later that I had several people from several sections coming to me other than their squad leader or platoon Sargent for help. I learned that giving a crap and trying to take care of my troops made it so they took care of me. The facts that I kept trying only helped me because they knew I would do it for them too. I made many mistakes along the way, but because I tried to do for them, they forgave and did for me. I had some great mentors to observe and learn from along the way, NCO and commissioned officers. Everything in leadership is a continuing process and everyone is different and needs to be treated that way! Taking care of the troops, knowing your job and watching the "great" leaders around you will always help.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 19 at 2016 5:27 AM

2016-09-19T05:27:25-04:00

The people I work with look to me for information on older units that we work on, and our parts guys send customers to me with questions on the same kind of units, been here 38 yrs. might known a little something.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Sep 19 at 2016 1:46 PM

2016-09-19T13:46:32-04:00

I think the way I impact with my leadership for my organization is the ability to be flexible and assist everyone with what they need. Having a strong work ethic plays and speaks volumes to the contribution-factor of leadership and to others seeking the kind of leadership to extract from.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 23 at 2016 3:38 PM

2016-09-23T15:38:56-04:00

Well the biggest impact is the shop I transferred to was suffering from a severe lack of leadership problem. Leadership was never in the office, so the shop just did whatever to look busy until it was time to leave. There was also a severe lack of training and mid level workers couldn't perform the basics of entry level work.

First thing I did was spend 2 weeks making a list of every single discrepancy I found and then I pointed it all out to them. It took a little while and a lot of knowledge to pass, but eventually I got it to the point where the mid level workers were taking charge when the senior levels weren't around and delegating work accordingly. Instead of just passing time, they actually did meaningful work and even learned to prioritize accordingly.

The biggest thing was getting people to recognize how deficient they were. When they realized they could do so much more their confidence improved and morale improved and thus the quality of work improved.

Response by PFC Ronald Maddox made Sep 28 at 2016 2:00 PM

2016-09-28T14:00:17-04:00

This is an interesting post. I'll have to detail later.

Response by Angela Hawkins made Sep 28 at 2016 2:08 PM

2016-09-28T14:08:46-04:00

I am a mother of 7 kids. My oldest (daughter) is in the Air Force, my 2nd (son) in the Army, my 3rd (son) is a Marine, my 4th (daughter) in college, my 5th (son) in 11th grade, (he is in ROTC and will be going into the Navy after he graduated high school), my 6th (son) is in the 10th grade and will be going for the Coast Guard and my 7th (daughter) 7th grade. wants to go to college to be a doctor. I think one of the most important skills you must have to be a good leader is to lead by example. I'm not in the work force but I'd say I've done a good job with my kids as I am patient, allow them to do everything for themselves including volunteering in our community and teaching them when they do something to do it with integrity and not to be afraid to ask questions when they have them. All 7 of them have their own personalities (they all want to be in different branches of the military for one example) so communicating what I want done for one may have to be communicated differently than the others. Communication is key. They do better with incentives and praise so with a positive attitude they stay optimistic and work to not only impress but to have the pride in themseves with each task. I must have done something right because they are all turning out great and are most definitely team players in every environment they're in. (Proud mama here)

Response by SSG Ronald Robinson made Sep 28 at 2016 2:11 PM

2016-09-28T14:11:26-04:00

For the first ten years or so after I got out, soldiers who knew me would still ask questions and seek advice. Mind you, these were soldiers who I had worked with or had been in their chain of command. That has now changed as it has been 18 years since I "retired",some of the soldiers and co-workers that I interact with today don't want to hear from an "old soldier" , and very few will listen to anything even when backed up by regs or manuals . They could cars less about taking care of equipment or using the tax payers money to its best .

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Sep 28 at 2016 7:50 PM

2016-09-28T19:50:09-04:00

It has taken me 50 plus years to see the truth in this question. Without a great deal of detail or back patting I can tell you that every new job I took I was almost immediately placed in a position of leadership. A short while ago I saw some things about my 68 years of life and was amazed at what I saw about myself. During my years I went about the business of life without much thought to my qualities and abilities far beyond knowing the answers to questions or how things fit together, mechanical things. Finally God has revealed to me that I have been blessed with certain talents and abilities that generally appear to others before they are visible to me. These things are leadership shills. Seems like every time I started a new job, usually some industry in which I had absolutely zero practical experience. Long story but that sums things up for now. Anyone care to know more, please feel free to ask.
God Bless you all my brothers and sisters.
Mark

Response by SSG Nancy Amore made Sep 28 at 2016 8:53 PM

2016-09-28T20:53:46-04:00

Leading by example is one of the best traits. I've had leaders tell me what to do and walk away, others would be right there beside me. Those are the ones I respect and look up to. That is there tore off leader I strive to be.

Response by SPC Phil Norton made Nov 14 at 2016 3:04 PM

2016-11-14T15:04:20-05:00

I lead my truck to the fishing hole. Out of the work force no one to lead

Response by PO2 Jerri Jackson made Nov 20 at 2016 12:03 AM

2016-11-20T00:03:59-05:00

While I was active duty, I lead by example n took most of my subordinates to heart, somewhat. I was pretty much like a mother figure, giving out common sense advice in variety of subjects. I didn't talk down to them, treated them as people n young adults.
Lol, use to help one write letters to his girl, another I helped pick out his leathers for his first bike, the style n colors.
The majority were good workers, but you always hv those few who just don't listen or care, a pity.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jan 26 at 2017 11:04 AM

2017-01-26T11:04:47-05:00

Mentorship of other workers in the same job without judgementalism. Treat as equals with less experience. Offer assistance when needed without letting personal differences affect or change the treatment I would give to a friend. It builds relationships and reduces animosities.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2017 11:26 AM

2017-01-26T11:26:02-05:00

Put your people first, inspire them to excel by excelling yourself. Invest in them and DO NOT transfer your frustrations to them. Make sure you have peer outlets for that.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Jan 26 at 2017 11:29 AM

2017-01-26T11:29:56-05:00

Listening, evaluating the situation, making the necessary decision. Empathy for team members. Sense of humor. Involvement in the whole process until completion. Flexibility to circumstance. Compliments on a job well done. Planning and preparation. These are a few of the leadership skills learned along the way.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Jan 26 at 2017 11:50 AM

2017-01-26T11:50:17-05:00

The best way to impact to show by example. Listen to others. Never cast off a suggestion.

Response by CPL Howard Conover made Jan 26 at 2017 12:09 PM

2017-01-26T12:09:17-05:00

Dependability and trusting me to take care of certain responsibilities without "micro-management". Whether Coaching or teaching, as I am in the public school system, everything and everyone improves. That's a combination of God, first of course, and then the leadership that are innate and developed through my army training.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jan 26 at 2017 12:33 PM

2017-01-26T12:33:59-05:00

I partnered with anothet Veteran and we had 25 table restaurant. Our employees were Vets and/or their dependents. We ran it using a lot of military terminology.. we had to turn it down some in respect to the dependents(not be too hard core Military discipline but they knew what we meant in regards to nomenclature for equipment, disciplinary terms. We had many civilian guests who were not familiar with much of our terminology but they enjoyed how the employees "snapped to"(took care of getting a table /area cleared, reset working as a team together and getting guest(s) order taken and turned in.. my Partner Mike had been a Master Gunny and Food Service Superintendent for a base in the West. 4 of his Children worked for us during the week and weekend as kitchen staff and D.R. Staff. We also had
4 Cooks whose dependent spouse and Children worked for us. Everything and e'body worked great.. we never had to worry about health inspections.. if an employee seen s'thing not right, it got took care of.. the person responsible was informed also so they didn't let it be a repeat sit-rep. Mike or myself were usually present.. One time neither of us were there for about an hour one day and the health inspector didn't want to come back. Chrissy our 17 yr. old wait-person and prep s'times offers to take the inspector on the inspection.. the inspector tried to put Chrissy on the spot with a sanitation and time/date question.. how high should lowest shelf in the cooler be from the floor; "1' ft ma'am," "and how long before a product have to be used after cooking before discarding, Ms Chrissy?" "3 days, ma'am." That was our policy also.. she asked her some other questions and Chrissy answered them all and she remarked how clean the cooler was and
Frost free (no excess) the freezer was. Chris showed the inspector the pic of the diagram of the freezer on it's door and the sign saying "know what you want, where it is, get it and get out quickly!" Same with the Cooler.. also shut door behind if going to be in a lengthy time.. most knew to get a cart if going to be getting multiple items.. no open food, beverages in cooler !.. don't need crumbs, liquid on floor left behind!!
The inspector rarely gave us a 100% pass.. usually a 97 and the 3 were immediately correctable.. one of the D.R. Assist'ts went in cooler get some indiv. Milks for the cooler in front and left a soft drink beverage in the cooler.. at least it had a lid on it. But why did they take it in, they knew the rule.. said they was in a hurry and was going back anyway.. so Mike asked them what he said about safety.. so he adds a item on their work list... we follow the praise in public, scold privately rule religiously.. "see me later, when you get a few minutes.. ". There wasn't any "it's not my job!" Whine going on.. we all worked as a team.. So that's how my Military leadership skills had an impact in the business. It worked that way when I worked for others.., I'd be back in the kitchen with one of the prep-cooks and these were Mike my partner's Children..
even though we weren't related.. Chrissy for example had called me Uncle Boyd a few times.. even though we weren't blood relatives.. it actually gave me a good feeling.. there was no one else around.. I realized discipline slipped a bit.. "Chrissy be careful, you know how Gunny is about that!" I'd tell her and smile.. He slipped one day and called me by my first name.. in front of the Children(I acted like I didn't hear) and he was a stickler with title (SSGT. or Mr. Herrst) it was to teach the Young people how to respect.. I didn't need to tell him his children catch people off guard when they are so polite when addressing them. (When I called him "top", that was between us.. )
With proper sir, Ma'am, Mr, Mrs., Ms (which ever applies)..

Response by PO1 Ron Clark made Jan 26 at 2017 3:00 PM

2017-01-26T15:00:36-05:00

The first rule of being a good leader is to be a good follower!

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Jan 26 at 2017 7:59 PM

2017-01-26T19:59:49-05:00

Servant leadership and leadership by example. I am there to serve my residents. And like I tell my staff, if you aren't serving a resident, you are serving someone who is. Secondly, when they get "in the weeds" and I jump in where ever needed ( Ive even been seen washing dishes, but they needed to take a picture to prove the incident occurred!). I don't ask them to do anything that I won't or haven't done. It builds comraderie, especially in the kitchen.

Response by SGT Stephen Tucker made Jan 28 at 2017 8:50 PM

2017-01-28T20:50:06-05:00

I asked a good friend of my one time why he thought his career had gone so well over 40 years. His response to me was I'm really not a smart man. However I know what my short comings are and constantly surround myself with smart people I trust like you. Not only was I very humbled but really understood what made him such a great leader himself.

Response by SSG Eduardo Ybarra Jr. MS Psyc made May 16 at 2017 12:43 PM

2017-05-16T12:43:34-04:00

This one is interesting, although I am not in the work place but rather in school. I find that my leadership skills come second nature when dealing with other students. Much like the common sense approach when detangling a plan that has gone from good to full FUBAR. Of course the one difficult aspect of dealing with non military people, is maintaining a civil tongue. Yeah I know........I'm working on it. Just didn't realize people are so sensitive.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made May 16 at 2017 12:59 PM

2017-05-16T12:59:03-04:00

With a team of myself and three others, I reengineered three global systems. And, sold the most reticent of users.

Response by SSgt Craig Danielson made May 16 at 2017 1:20 PM

2017-05-16T13:20:28-04:00

The biggest problem I ever faced was people won't let you lead. It is as if they know your skills are far superior to theirs, and if you demonstrate them, they will be in jeopardy of loosing their own job. Their skills are limited to the threat of someone loosing their job or position, and they seem to rule by fear, and if or when you stand up to the stupidity and ignorance, you need to have your resume in order. Meanwhile, their bosses see the potential, but are restrained by outdated company policies. Then again, a lot of my experiences were with those that were standouts against Vietnam, and the many veterans that served though those years. Maybe that's why so many ended up in the streets.

Response by Stephanie Jones made May 16 at 2017 4:40 PM

2017-05-16T16:40:10-04:00

How do you know exactly where your skills fit in?

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2017 5:22 PM

2017-05-16T17:22:23-04:00

Amen ! Create the atmosphere of a Team. Empower the subordinates while listening with an empathetic ear to the issues & finding the solutions as a Team !

Response by SPC Saundra Teater made May 16 at 2017 9:31 PM

2017-05-16T21:31:20-04:00

Organization. Creating steps for what was expected. Following thru. Holding myself accountable. Each one was learned thru military. And more. And has helped me to move from bottom to higher position. And to actually be trusted. My favorite quote from higher up. "She can be a pain in the ass, but she was damned good at getting the job done. When she said it couldn't, it couldn't." Second favorite, "If she already told you what happened, then that is what happened. She admits when she's wrong. She would tell you." At the time, I never thought about how much confidence was placed in me. But I ended up with the respect of four regional managers and VP's.