Texting is not leadership

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:04:50 -0400

I understand that times have changed and that technology allows us to do things that we could not do before but leaders have to realize texting and emails are just tools. They should not be your primary way of communicating with a soldier. What happened to a face to face conversations? Stop emailing me when you are ten feet from me. I believe leaders now use these tools as a crutch, instead of engaging soldiers. That lack of real communication hinders leaders from really knowing their own soldiers. You cannot assess how your soldier is doing physically or mentally over a text or email.

Response by SSG Robert Blum made Mar 26 at 2014 7:11 AM

SSG Robert Blum — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:11:38 -0400

Ive seen where a Soldier shows up to formation at the wrong time, is in the wrong unifrom, or is otherwise not prepared for the mission at hand. When the leader is asked if he/she breifed their Soldiers they pull out their cell phones and present a mass text message. There is a huge problem with this, yes a text can be a great tool when your Soldiers are spread to the 4 winds, But how do you know that the Soldier got the message, or fully understands it? I personally use text messages when My Soldiers are not available for face to face communication. No response, then a Phone call, No Anwser, then I go find them.  Youre right face to face communication is the best practice, and utilizing text messages or emails, can be unreliable. Theres no excuse for a leader to not make some time for his/her Soldiers through out the day. There is Absoutley no Excuse for a Soldier to not get the information needed, the leader needs to make every effort to follow up and ensure it was received.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 7:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:13:06 -0400

Agree totally

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Mar 26 at 2014 9:23 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 09:23:49 -0400

My leaders do the same thing. But when I send out the mass text I ask for a hit back to inssure they recieved it, if someone doesnt respond back then I call all of them or meet with them face to face. Depends on the situation. At drill or during drill. If it is during drill I gather everyone up!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 6:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:10:12 -0400

I have to disagree on the e-mail portion of your post which includes text messages also. Me, from experience, I e-mail my Supervisor and then go and tell them about the e-mail. Why do I do that you may ask? Simply, people like to say I was never told that or you never updated me. And when I pull out my 3 ring binder full of printed e-mails or open my folder that is saved on my desk top with the read receipt and sent notification of the e-mail sent and show them that I did relay any information that I relayed, they tend to think I'm a smart ass. But I rather be a smart ass covering my 6, than and unreliable Soldier or even worse an incompetent Leader. So, when I e-mail a Soldier of mine, and place that email on my calendar in my outlook and when they fail to complete a task, I have a leg to stand on when I give them their monthly counseling. So to me, e-mails or a text message is a great tool for me to have evidence. Case in point. How many times have you called a Soldier and you get their voicemail and they say I never received it? So, when I call and then text and they still say they didn't receive it, I have a leg to stand on to say I also sent a text after I called. And knowing that Soldiers spend 90% of their day on their phones, there is no way in hell they never seen my missed call or a text from me. And definitely don't try to use the excuse, "But Sergeant, I don't get service where I live." Cause then I will put in your counseling that I want a phone call everyday including weekends for a one on one discussion for possible updates, or make you meet me somewhere on post (BN or COMPANY) for a face to face. This elevates all doubt. Now with the emotional state that text messages and e-mails may not show, I have to say as a leader, we should always have that one on one with each of Soldiers especially if we are suppose to Know our Soldiers.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 26 at 2014 11:29 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:29:51 -0400

SSG Plato, You are correct; texting is not leadership, but I do use it as a form of communication when voice to voice or face to face is not practical or possible. In fact, I just sent out a mass text that we have payday activities next Friday and most of everybody reciprocated. Working a shift interferes with face to face communication, however, I will ensure this information is put out during a patrol brief, PT, and next week when we will all be in the same place at the same time. In reference to leadership, I do not use it chew out a soldier's fourth point of contact; I try to save that for face to face meetings. I do understand what you are stating though; you have made some excellent points.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 27 at 2014 4:58 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:58:41 -0400

I concur SSG. You are a Leader, You need to practice your speaking skills.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 27 at 2014 5:17 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 17:17:10 -0400

Though I agree that texting/emailing is not leadership, neither is the act of passing mundane information verbally or face to face. That is just an administrative task, not leadership. <div><br></div><div>If mundane information (formation time, etc.) is being passed through more efficient electronic channels, I don't think that makes you any better or worse of a leader. It's just basic administrative requirements. As long as the job is getting done, what does it really matter?</div><div><br></div><div>That said, it doesn't replace the need for leaders to engage with their unit members face to face. I'm just saying that the act of passing basic, mundane information in person does not make you a better or stronger leader. </div>

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 8:16 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 20:16:25 -0400

I see texting and emailing being used to cover up for a lack of planning or to make last minute changes when before cell phones, we would have had to execute. Officer meeting running long? Don't wrap it up! Just text everyone and move formation back 30 minutes. Didn't bother to get handouts for the meeting together in a timely fashion? Fine, just email it to me 10 minutes before the meeting and act like it's my fault for not printing it out myself.

I agree that communicating electronically is preferable to holding another meeting, but only if it is facilitating communication. I often find that people are more rushed than taking care when communicating electronically, and while they claim they told everyone something, I don't think it counts if the message was not understood.

It's a tool. It's a good tool. But in my experience, I see a lot of poor usage.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 8:46 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 20:46:09 -0400

I can see your point and I agree with you, SSG. I don't believe texts and emails should be obsolete-they are important when getting solid facts out. We've all experienced the PNN. However, when it comes to counseling and getting to know your soldiers, face to face is definitely the way to go. As junior enlisted, I have experienced both types of leadership. The in-person element really speaks volumes to a leader's competency.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 11:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 23:51:30 -0400

I think its a great tool to put out and blast out information. If you got a text and the person was 10 feet from you....they probably sent it out to multiple people.

Of course you talk to your Soldiers on a daily basis, but texting is a great tool especially when eberyois split to the four winds

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 2:00 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:00:31 -0400

I wouldn't say texting is not leadership, there is more to it than the tools you use to communicate the things that encompasses leadership. Can you lead through written form, sure, but I think you can do more with the other tools.

1. face to face

2. VTC

3. phone call / radio

4. text / email / letter

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 28 at 2014 7:58 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 07:58:50 -0400

Speaking on the matter of texting, my soldiers are really respectful when texting me. They respond or start a text with "rgr sgt", "hey sgt, what are you up to" or "yes sgt". These young soldiers amaze me sometimes.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 28 at 2014 2:43 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 14:43:47 -0400

Whatever happened to the platoon getting briefed by the PSG at the end of the day?Being required to carry a writing implement and the ubiquitous "lil green notebook" for the writing down of information so that you have it readily available? Text messages and smart phones with apps are "nice", how about conducting a face to face with your people to find out if there are any issues or questions prior to being released for the day? I dunno, maybe I am too old school....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 11:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 23:27:41 -0400

I don't think that it should be the only means of communications but as a way to help give notes I think it's great. Why keep the joes around for an hour when the leaders are in a meeting?

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Mar 18 at 2015 9:49 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 09:49:24 -0400

SSG, I must agree with you 100%. I have left a comment under the Maj's on my feels of this matter.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 10:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 10:33:53 -0400

Texting wasn't a thing when I was in, and I fought it tooth and nail on the civilian side, but I have to admit it's a useful tool for non-critical events. I have a standing policy that the first person in (usually me in good army fashion) text out any abnormalities once they've assessed the days workload. Throughout the work day I receive status updates. " half way done", "fueling", etc. This allows me to manage the workload across employees.
I don't use it to replace contact, evaluations, spot checks,etc. It's a tool. Texting, like email, is not leadership, but if you aren't using the tool to help you lead there might be a problem. Or not. It depends on your work and your style. With five employees scattered in a 15 mile radius from our office, emails are a non starter, and phone calls result in work stoppage. Texting is the least intrusive way for non priority contact. If texting was possible when I was in, I don't think it would have been much use. Anything meeting my criteria of text worthiness could be delivered in person at formation or emailed. But I've been out ten years, who knows.

Response by SPC Ryan D. made Mar 18 at 2015 11:45 AM

SPC Ryan D. — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:45:22 -0400

Texting is certainly not leadership, but working deeply in the tech world I can tell you the way people communicate is changing. If people are not able to convey the same professional and engaging conversations via electronic communications (text, email, etc.), the world will leave them in the dust.

I deal with folks that refuse to communicate via email or text message because they are unable to read and understand simple information any other way than verbally. To them, the same words written in email, are not equal to those exact words spoken. This seems ridiculous to me, and a simple act of defiance in favor of the 'ease' of a phone call.

Due to the nature of military life, you obviously can't lead and develop your soldier via text, but you can certainly use technology to improve communication amongst your soldiers and make everyone's lives easier.

Simple example, you keep an email/text distribution list of all your soldiers so mass updates can be sent about simple things like a change in location for PT or an awards ceremony.

This saves you the time and is a wise use of technology.

It all comes down to balancing the needs of military life.