What leadership traits do you think are most important for Senior NCOs to possess?

2015-01-02T21:33:42-05:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 9:35 PM

2015-01-02T21:35:14-05:00

knowledgeable, example setting + the Army Values

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-01-02T21:40:08-05:00

Candor, honesty, fairness, integrity. I'm sure there are plenty more, but those four would top my list, MSG Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 2 at 2015 9:44 PM

2015-01-02T21:44:11-05:00

I truly believe Influence is the most important leadership trait. When you have influence, your people will follow you & do what you want them to do.

You can gain influence by being trusted by your unit as well as by sharing risk and hardships with your people. Building the trust by being honest, competent, courageous and committed (to the mission and your people).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 9:59 PM

2015-01-02T21:59:35-05:00

Loyalty, integrity, fairness and impartiality. Just a few.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jan 2 at 2015 10:10 PM

2015-01-02T22:10:48-05:00

Integrity: It is critical. You have to know that when a leader says something, they mean it. That the leader speaks the truth.

Decisiveness: They will make a decision. We may not love the decision, but there will be a decision.

Loyalty: You have to know that a leader is loyal to our Nation, to our Unit and to you. They will have your back when you are right, and will help mitigate as they can when you are jacked up.

Unselfishness: Sure we all want to get ahead, everyone does. A leader will not get ahead, by stabbing others in the back or sacrificing their integrity to make themselves look better at anyone else's expense.

Honor: To be a military leader, you have to have Honor, for ours is all about Honor.

I could keep going...Being a good leader never stops.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-01-02T22:21:55-05:00

Fighter( in the terms of, for his/her people), All knowing( knows his job/knows his people), integrity!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 10:25 PM

2015-01-02T22:25:49-05:00

I believe that active listening is an extremely important trait as a Senior Leader. If you do not have discussions with your Soldiers and actually hear what they are saying then how can you make things better?

Integrity is huge, I never promise something which I cannot produce. I have had people ask me how I can be so strict yet Soldiers will work the hardest for me. I simply tell them, "it is easy I don't lie to them!"

Ensuring the Soldiers needs are taken care of. As a Senior that is most of your job. While the Soldiers are busting their butts the last thing you want is an individual concerned about paperwork being routed properly.

Standing by the decisions which you make. Taking ownership of it. I always instruct my Soldiers to trust me and listen. "If something goes wrong, I am taking responsibility"

Remain proficient in your job so that you know where the Soldiers are coming from with situations. My M.O.S. just had a big shift in systems and a Majority of Senior Leaders have no clue what the Soldiers are going through. I was fortunate enough to go through the testing of it and then instruct at the school house.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 2 at 2015 11:43 PM

2015-01-02T23:43:22-05:00

I had a 1SG in Germany by the name of 1SG Ricardo Samudio. Single best NCO I ever met.
My favorite quality was his transparency. He never hesitated to speak the truth no matter how much it may have hurt someones feelings. He also had this amazing ability to motivate people to better themselves and to better their PT which is an oddity this day and age. He was never an asshole about things. He was supportive. And he often said "what the fuuuuuck" and we all replied in kind. It was great.
If any of you ever meet him then you will know exactly what I mean.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 12:26 AM

2015-01-03T00:26:05-05:00

I feel it's important to keep an open mind and understand that your warriors are not all the same. Each are different and have different ways of thinking. It's equally important to be able to effectively communicate with your warriors so they fully understand the mission.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 12:27 AM

2015-01-03T00:27:46-05:00

I think senior NCOs should posses trust, honestly, the ability to adapt to change and understanding. I got it senior NCOs have been in the ARMY for years and years, they have seen so much coming up through the ranks but they should understand that with the many changes the Army has went through not everyone has fought the battles they had to. Instead of saying 'back when I was a private or young SGT we didn't do that' they should say I used to do it like this but can you show me the new way. You should be able to put the pride down for a second to learn from your own Soldiers all the new changes of the today's Army. They should be understanding to the fact that not everyone knows how to take care of home so it shouldn't be bad when a Soldier asks you for personal advice. Trust is a big key factor. Your juniors should be able to come to you with any and everything and know that their problems won't end up as gossip through out the organization. Not all senior NCOs are bad but their are a few stuck in the mind set of when theig came up in the ranks.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 3:56 AM

2015-01-03T03:56:32-05:00

Honesty/Integrity, Humility, Confidence and the ability to Communicate/Inspire

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 4:20 AM

2015-01-03T04:20:15-05:00

Proactive vs. Reactive
The exceptional leader is always thinking three steps ahead. Working to master his/her own environment with the goal of avoiding problems before they arise.

Flexible/Adaptable
How do you handle yourself in unexpected or uncomfortable situations? An effective leader will adapt to new surroundings and situations, doing his/her best to adjust.

A Good Communicator
As a leader, one must listen...a lot! You must be willing to work to understand the needs and desires of others. A good leader asks many questions, considers all options, and leads in the right direction.

Respectful
Treating others with respect will ultimately earn respect.

Quiet Confidence
Be sure of yourself with humble intentions.

Enthusiastic
Excitement is contagious. When a leader is motivated and excited about the cause people will be more inclined to follow.

Open-Minded
Work to consider all options when making decisions. A strong leader will evaluate the input from all interested parties and work for the betterment of the whole.

Resourceful
Utilize the resources available to you. If you don't know the answer to something find out by asking questions. A leader must create access to information.

Rewarding
An exceptional leader will recognize the efforts of others and reinforce those actions. We all enjoy being recognized for our actions!

Well Educated
Knowledge is power. Work to be well educated on community policies, procedures, organizational norms, etc. Further, your knowledge of issues and information will only increase your success in leading others.

Open to Change
A leader will take into account all points of view and will be willing to change a policy, program, cultural tradition that is out-dated, or no longer beneficial to the group as a whole.

Interested in Feedback
How do people feel about your leadership skill set? How can you improve? These are important questions that a leader needs to constantly ask the chapter. View feedback as a gift to improve.

Evaluative
Evaluation of events and programs is essential for an organization/group to improve and progress. An exceptional leader will constantly evaluate and change programs and policies that are not working.

Organized
Are you prepared for meetings, presentations, events and confident that people around you are prepared and organized as well?

Consistent
Confidence and respect cannot be attained without your leadership being consistent. People must have confidence that their opinions and thoughts will be heard and taken into consideration.

Delegator
An exceptional leader realizes that he/she cannot accomplish everything on his own. A leader will know the talents and interests of people around him/her, thus delegating tasks accordingly.

Initiative
A leader should work to be the motivator, an initiator. He/she must be a key element in the planning and implementing of new ideas, programs, policies, events, etc.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 7:26 AM

2015-01-03T07:26:15-05:00

Take care of your people. What goes around, comes around.

The further you reach out to them while setting your personal best example, the more you'll get in return. Works every time!

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 6 at 2015 8:01 AM

2015-01-06T08:01:22-05:00

I believe it is important to be able to do the right thing, even though it might not be easy. Honor, Intensity, and Pride in whatever facet of service - whether mentoring subordinates or fellow SNCOs.