Posted on Aug 3, 2016
When taking over a failed mission, job, or task, would you acknowledge the past or ignore it?
3.75K
31
15
2
2
0
More than a few times I've been passed off a failed mission job or tasking to complete where the previous leader simply couldn't make it happen or otherwise the tasking or mission just wasn't set for success
Today will be my first time to do it in the civilian setting
In the past I learned what worked for me was to acknowledge that something wasn't working in the past learn what can be discovered from that past, but suggest to the group let's start fresh and just move on from here... building on what works, not dwelling on what did not.
I felt that allowed their personal opinion of past transgressions to be "addressed" without getting into specifics and having decide if those things were imagined, perceived or real.
All the while letting them know that I was not ignoring that there were issues of the past.
Trying to decide if that's the correct path of travel in the civilian setting..for my specific situation. (EDIT: See later posts that detail why this is not a "normal" situation most will be familiar with...
Taking over for another instructor's class due to the students not progressing as expected, multiple voiced concerns with type method and level of instruction.
Knowing the recent issues and distant past history of the former instructor likely are the cause of the current issue, causation is with that person not the students, likley means their concerns are valid.
Today will be my first time to do it in the civilian setting
In the past I learned what worked for me was to acknowledge that something wasn't working in the past learn what can be discovered from that past, but suggest to the group let's start fresh and just move on from here... building on what works, not dwelling on what did not.
I felt that allowed their personal opinion of past transgressions to be "addressed" without getting into specifics and having decide if those things were imagined, perceived or real.
All the while letting them know that I was not ignoring that there were issues of the past.
Trying to decide if that's the correct path of travel in the civilian setting..for my specific situation. (EDIT: See later posts that detail why this is not a "normal" situation most will be familiar with...
Taking over for another instructor's class due to the students not progressing as expected, multiple voiced concerns with type method and level of instruction.
Knowing the recent issues and distant past history of the former instructor likely are the cause of the current issue, causation is with that person not the students, likley means their concerns are valid.
Posted in these groups: 
Instructor
Instructor
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
7
7
0
Fine line SGM...hard to ignore the past when you are changing the direction of an organization. That said there are a few "nevers" as you know. Nevers: never bad mouth the old regime, never disregard the circumstances that precipitated failed decisions, and never forget to consult with the old regime or ask their opinion about proposed changes.
(7)
(0)
4
4
0
I've run into a similar situation where lack of leadership has allowed a shop to stagnate in their below par performances. I spoke with each member of the shop to see what their perceived discrepancies were. Then I evaluated the work quality of the shop and told them the mistakes that I was finding and the things that needed to be corrected. I explained to them that as a whole we needed to change the shop.
For the most part, they were on board but I'm still dealing with some pushback from the leadership. Personally, I think you're handling it fine. Sometimes it's best to start from a clean slate, as long as they don't fall into their previous funks. Otherwise you'll just keep needing a new clean slate.
For the most part, they were on board but I'm still dealing with some pushback from the leadership. Personally, I think you're handling it fine. Sometimes it's best to start from a clean slate, as long as they don't fall into their previous funks. Otherwise you'll just keep needing a new clean slate.
(4)
(0)
3
3
0
If you haven't failed, you haven't tried.
We learn from our mistakes. It should be acknowledged, but you have to be careful not to highlight responsible parties. It can be political, but you didn't make E9 not knowing how to navigate political minefields.
We learn from our mistakes. It should be acknowledged, but you have to be careful not to highlight responsible parties. It can be political, but you didn't make E9 not knowing how to navigate political minefields.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google