What was the most important thing you've been taught in your career?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 23:19:00 -0400

Everyone has a defining moment or life lesson during their career. Mine was a leadership lesson given by my first LCPO. I was a little seaman recruit that didn't know anything about the navy but i lead a team of 10 E3 And below on nights. LSC "D" sat me down one night because i was working while my guys took a break. He pulled me off to the side, "what the Hell are you doing Grier?!" I looked at him confused and said I'm working chief. He looked at my crew and told them to get up and start working, any questions ask your LPO. He turned to me and said. "You're leading by example but you aren't here to do the work for them. Show them the way, offer advice, and support them. That's what makes a good leader. " Advice i still follow and will continue to through my career.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Apr 10 at 2016 11:23 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 23:23:16 -0400

Good advice from your LCPO!

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Apr 10 at 2016 11:43 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 23:43:32 -0400

Understand Commander's Intent: While moving to the objective, recognize the obstacles & overcome them. In the absence of direction, know the destination. Accomplish the Mission & Define the End-State. Been out now for almost two decades --I always know my boss' intent!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2016 11:59 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 23:59:31 -0400

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member, I'd have to say the art of credibility. Working towards, developing and maintaining your credible with your Soldiers, peers and Leaders will usually dictate how the rest of your career is shaped by your work ethic and values.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 1:10 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 01:10:39 -0400

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member Adapt and overcome all obstacles in your path.

Response by SSG James Elmore made Apr 11 at 2016 4:02 AM

SSG James Elmore — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 04:02:07 -0400

The most important thing I've been taught in my career…

SFC Price was my AIT platoon sergeant, the most important thing I've ever learn came from him. That was "you need to learn to read, if you learn nothing else from me while you are here at least learn to read"

Took me six weeks to figure out what he meant. Then whenever a different SFC was trying to process company grade UCMJ on me for something that I felt I was in the right about I read the commanders policy letters and SOP and found she was wrong! Because I listen to Sfc Price and started reading it got me out of trouble (and inadvertently got her in trouble) and it has taught me to read a lot more sense then.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 11 at 2016 4:16 AM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 04:16:34 -0400

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member Listen to other people's ideas or perspectives.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 4:31 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 04:31:51 -0400

I had a young Marine officer when I was an Air Force enlisted member stand up in an executive meeting and give my team supporting his mission great kudos instead of taking credit himself. I asked him why, since that was the exception, not the rule and he said "If you look good, I look good by default and I will never make the mission all about me." An oddity among the ranks but I have carried it to this day, from my ranks on the enlisted side to my commissioning and subsequent rank. I have even had other officers tell me that I give too much praise to my enlisted folks but I still stand by the great advice from a Marine LT and it has served me well and I have always gotten the mission completed.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 11 at 2016 5:47 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 05:47:38 -0400

Understand the Oath and live the NCO Creed! They are the pathway to all that is right with the Military.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 11 at 2016 6:36 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 06:36:37 -0400

Treat people equally, and try to lead by example.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 7:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:26:45 -0400

'Never take no from someone who can't tell you yes.'

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Apr 11 at 2016 8:38 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:38:38 -0400

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member One lesson I learned that has stood the test of time was "It is easy to be hard, but hard to be smart." That precept has been with me since it was shared and been a key point in all military and civilian decision making processes in which I have been involved. Great discussion.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Apr 11 at 2016 9:47 AM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:47:40 -0400

The value of mentoring. Although I had few worthwhile mentors, I learned to try to teach those under my care how to become a caring leader and to work for a greater purpose (something larger than yourself). The one person that came the closest to a mentor for me was a leader two levels above me who taught me to create a non-threatening environment to allow others to succeed. I later found out he had written and spoke publically about leadership.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 11 at 2016 11:44 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 11:44:41 -0400

Trust and loyalty will make soldiers go to hell and back with me.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 11 at 2016 2:44 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 14:44:37 -0400

Wait, a seaman recruit (e-1) was leading a team of 10 e-3 and below? That doesn't sound right. I'm not saying you're being dishonest, at all, but maybe edit your message to be more clear.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 7:34 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 19:34:33 -0400

know, as a leader, your team combined will always know more than you do. The key to a good leader is finding out how to make all their knowledge flow and work in the same direction of what you need it to do. When you admit you don't know it all you will suddenly find your self surrounded by those who might know the answer to what you don't.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2016 2:59 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 14:59:10 -0400

"People don't know what they don't know." A MSgt told me this when I first had troops assigned to me and it has really helped with how I go about training new airmen.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2016 12:58 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 12:58:22 -0400

I've had several lessons in my "short" period in my career.
But one comes to mind that is simple yet is the most powerful thing you can do.
"Do more than expected."