Never forget where you came from!

2014-09-23T12:04:03-04:00

I remember as a PFC/LCPL/CPL when a peer would get promoted we always told them "Don't forget where you came from."

I think the most successful people hold true to that motto. In my opinion the best leaders build their teams from the bottom up. They support those who are seeking more challenges, and they mentor those who should be seeking more.

Send the elevator back down, and help your team be successful. A true leader says "WE" accomplished this.

What are some other ways you have helped a subordinate move up the ladder? Did you have to hold their hand or did you shine the flash light on the path they should travel?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 12:46 PM

2014-09-23T12:46:48-04:00

And that's why I think warrant officer (or officer with prior enlisted) is such a great rank. Most of us (some pilots excluded) came from the enlisted ranks, so it's easy to remember where we came from and to relate to folks working their way up those ranks. I watched warrants ahead of me and coached warrants behind me to learn and to share the path.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 1:36 PM

2014-09-23T13:36:16-04:00

It's not a bad idea - remembering where you came from. No matter how HIGH you go up in the food chain it's always possible to fall from grace. I can't tell you how many senior officers / senior enlisted fail this simple test. Can't say I passed with flying colors either when I retired...but I re-learned the lesson quickly. Most of the civilian world rarely gives a rats a$$ about your rank, position or authority when you get out or retire. Most of us in AD have visions of getting the middle to senior level management job when we get out - only to discover that McDonald's is always hiring, but they aren't too keen on ex-mil that flaunt that fact.

I've learned that keeping in mind the people who were with you (we're talking the good, solid, honest workers not the riff-raff) when you get promoted is a good thing. Take your learned military skills and apply them when you need to hire or promote people. Promote from within - you will find people understand what's expected of them if you've been a good leader when you were earning your way upwards. Of course - avoid keeping the "yes men/women" - they're never any good (except for your ego - which really doesn't need to be stroked IMHO) to a company or management team.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Sep 23 at 2014 2:27 PM

2014-09-23T14:27:23-04:00

In the AF, we had more Chiefs than Indians it seemed. Of course the leadership only wanted yes men it. They did not care what the lower enlisted said but liked those that did things the way that they wanted them to be. That has been my experience in a few places.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Sep 23 at 2014 5:11 PM

2014-09-23T17:11:00-04:00

I think that it is critical to remember where you came from. Granted, my contribution to this forum is strictly from a military perspective, but as I have read in the other responses here, it absolutely applies in the civilian sector as well. We all need to keep in mind that we started somewhere. Usually that was at the bottom. We had leaders and peers who showed us what right looked like. They also showed us what wrong looked like. We took those lessons and became who we are today. Learning those lessons was critical to maturity in our career path and in our lives. Never pass up an opportunity to help someone who is where you once were. That is how we pay it forward.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 3:06 PM

2015-08-15T15:06:19-04:00

I like this very much. I realize I didn't have to make it as far as I have. Many people didn't. I don't plan on EVER forgetting where I came from.