What is your greatest leadership challenge?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 22:56:55 -0400

The attached article outlines four major challenges identified by top-ranked leadership keynote speaker Mark Sanborn that every leader faces. Have you experienced one or all of them? Do you have any other challenges that face you face on a consistent basis that you think should be added to the list of four?

http://www.marksanborn.com/blog/5-biggest-challenges-leaders-face/

4 Challenges Leaders Always Face | Mark Sanborn Keynote Leadership Speaker

If you're a leader, chances are you face these four challenges. Here's what you can do to meet them successfully.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 11:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 23:26:20 -0400

In Recruiting we have a mission to the Army. Unlike everywhere else there is no other unit that can come in and pick up our ruck and carry on the mission. If we at USAREC fail the Army can fail. The Army needs XYZ and I have 12 recruiters with 4 vehicles and 1,300 sq miles. On adverage 9-17 they can get the Army X and Y but lack the Z the Army needs. In this aspect they are failures. So they now work 9-19 Mon-Sat and lose their family time. The impact on the mission results in the soldiers getting X one month and the next X and Y and it continues like this until the soldiers break because it always going. Now this is only a scenario and not happening everywhere in America. It is a great example of the challenges I face on a daily basis. Keeping my troops happy and the Army ranks full is a struggle that we have to hit day by day.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 11 at 2015 12:03 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 00:03:14 -0400

- First, being respected is a goal, but not one I ever paid attention to. My hope was that if I did the right things, for the right reasons, I would be respected. Being liked was/is never part of the equation, and it is a dangerous consideration for a young leader. Read Worth's Battalion Orders and Schofield's Definition of Discipline.
- Maintaining balance, between the needs of the organization, the needs of the team - and also my family would probably be it, if I have choose from your list - authors list.
- Staying motivated never, and maintaining focus... never.
Frankly, There is no shortage of folks who right about leadership and management, and these are not the only four challenges in my view... Interesting, but just another opinion...

My biggest challenge was always balance. My goals as battalion and brigade commander... were these. They are still may daily goals.
1. Model balance between the Army and family.
2. Make a difference, everyday.
3. Leave the organization better than I found it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 12:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 00:18:27 -0400

My biggest challenge is working with NCOs who are not "ready" for the rank they currently serve.

I feel like I'm always fighting not to do someone else's job because of their lack of knowledge.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 6:57 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 06:57:01 -0400

I would add something something else. I would say instilling a sense of purpose and value in the mission you have to accomplish. This is something that struggle with. Not for any reason that should be of any consequence. So few soldiers find the value in a difficult task and question even what is essential to mission success. Maintaining purpose in all that you do with your soldiers is often cast to the side. Most just rely on rank to accomplish what they need done but if your soldiers believe in you will see a great increase in their performance.

An example of this is Sergeant's Time Training. It is extra work and most soldiers don't think they really need to do such additional training on remedial tasks. But you will find that most soldiers believe they are more competent than they actually are. In that that they will fail to identify the reason for what is being put fourth and lack any purpose to invest themselves. But if you believe in the value of the SGT's Time Training you will see soldiers eager to receive the training and implement what they have learning knowing that it could only make them better.

Response by PO3 Shayna Stevens made Jul 11 at 2015 1:52 PM

PO3 Shayna Stevens — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 13:52:34 -0400

Mine is being a female. No matter the gender of who I'm leading, no one cares, I'm a female. Other females don't like me for whatever reasons, and males just laugh or do things their own way. I will usually state a plan of action, they ignore it, fail with their plan, try mine because they got nothing else, and they succeed. Then I get a surprised look like well what do ya know! We underestimated you! well duh, I'm not just what my face portrays.

Response by PO3 Rodney Sloan made Apr 15 at 2023 6:20 PM

PO3 Rodney Sloan — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 18:20:20 -0400

Making the decisions and options that is best for me, while becoming independent and learning how to challenge myself daily, and setting goals.