What does "Top Down Leadership, Bottom Up Refinement" mean to you?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:33:08 -0400

This has become a major guiding principle in my military career and I'm curious if anyone else out there uses it and what it means to them. To me, it means receiving orders and guidance from leadership in the normal fashion, but affording subordinate personnel/elements the levity to take those orders and make the plan their own. In my opinion, this inevitably leads to a more vested interest in the success of the plan at all levels.

Feel free to add a personal story of when this mentality was beneficial to yourself or your unit.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 26 at 2014 2:42 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:42:44 -0400

Interesting idea and concept for sure. Of course there are proper times and locations to practice this. Sometimes you just have to take the orders from the top and act on them without must change.

I think I might just include this concept in my next project managers' meeting! I can see some great benefit from allowing those that actually have to do the work a chance to form their plan of action to accomplish the overall goal.