learning-leadership-william-hirner-a-s-

I like the idea of leadership classes, there is always something to learn. In practice tho, leadership classes are a joke. It starts when a new course is first initiated, they are great, then bc they are great people that dont have the drive are sent, making it defacto mandatory course So one of the ways a motivator can set himself apart bc is taken off the table for the most part. Then it becomes mandatory and inundated with students so curriculum suffers, and the class evolves into much less of its original intent. Now its a crappy course that is being flooded with people that dont want to be there and the singlemindness of the military says theres no way you should be promoted without it so now, the crappy guys that dont even care are pme complete and promotable while some good guys are deserving of a promotion save a course that they really might not learn anything on anyway thats just a shell of what made it good in the first place. Case in point: USMC Corporals Course. I learned very little, we rarely PT'd, and it was only 3 weeks. Before it was mandatory it was at least 4 weeks (one of which was in the field), had a mess night and PT was intense and almost daily. Leadership training is great, until somebody realizes it.

First, congrats on writing the thoughts. This will set you apart from your peers as you transition someday. Second, dismiss those that think you cannot learn skills about leadership. I like to work with wood; I am not great at it, but I know many folks that are. I don't work with wood at the store, but I sure pick up a lot of tools and meet people that can offer me new ideas on how to accomplish things. It is the same with leadership and management courses: the course does not make you a leader or a manager, but it gives you the tools and insights to allow you to be better. The basic leadership courses will not mean much to most civilians when you transition, but the tools that you learned will translate well. The more you learn about ways to influence beyond role power, the more effective you will be. Good luck.