Bullet
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2008
- Messages
- 986
Sorry to see the McChrystal thread had to be closed because there were a few inappropriate postings. Trying to remove those would have made too may gaps in the logic and flow of the discussion to keep it going. And that is a shame, because ultimately, there was excellent discussion started by CC, Mongo, Scoutpilot, and a few others on the broader topic of "professionalism as an officer". Discussion, using the McC example, as to what is expected, required, and proper behavior for someone in the officer corps.
I think the prospective candidates and current cadets (plus those young newly commisioned officers, parents, and lurkers who frequent these forums) can benefit GREATLY from a discussion on this topic. I ask some of our "old heads" to join in the discussion, giving their perspectives on "Professionalism" and some of the "tricks of the trade" in being a good leader, mentor, and example. All I ask is we keep it "professional"; we may disagree on minor points, but we all know in the end that each of us strive (or were striven) to be the best "professionals" we possibly can be.
I'll start by giving some examples of qualities I admired in some of my previous bosses and leaders that I respected. Qualities that I thought made them the type of leader I wanted to be as I rose in rank, and tried to emulate as I got there.
- Even temperament. Level headed when the hard problems surfaced (and they always do). Didn't fly off the handle when the proverbial brown stuff hit the rotating blades. By their keeping an even keel, we kept one as well.
- Took the time to "think" before "reacting". Goes hand in hand with even temperament. Nothing will kill a leader's credibility faster than flying off the handle then having to apologize later because they didn't think it through.
- "Do as I say AND as I do". Set the example for all, always. Didn't just give lectures on proper ways to do things and then go of and do just the opposite because "I'm the boss and I don't have to live by the rules I set for you."
- Listened more than they spoke. You have good people working for you. Hopefully, good SMART people. And you hopefully realize they have your unit's best interests at heart just as much as you do. Listen to what they have to say, digest their inputs, and THEN make a decision. You don't have to agree with them, but a good leader will take everything into consideration before they act.
- Always acted as if "THEY" are watching. THEY could be your subordinates, your bosses, your Mom, your wife, the unit's spouses, the enlisted folks in the ext unit over, ALL OF THEM. In other words, EVERYTHING you do should be to the example you set, and should be up-and-up and done with class.
Mongo brought up a fantastic example in the McC thread: would I discuss politics with my subordinates in a "casual/social" manner, knowing I'm "setting the example"? Answer: yes and no. Policies and political issues that impact us as a unit? Probably, but in a very social / casual atmosphere, and I would keep my comments VERY RESPECTFUL of the civilian leadership O was talking about. Personal attacks against the civilian leadership with subordinates and bosses? Probably not. "The President Sucks" doesn't cut it in my book in front of the troops. "The President just doesn't get it" or "I can't believe he DID that!" may be more appropriate when I know I can be making an impression. Just calling it the way I see it.
And I'll stop at there. I know there are TONS more of examples; I'll leave it up to others to contribute them. And it doesn't have to be "list format" like I started. A good, open flow discussion will be just as beneficial to all.
Bottom Line: Mongo, CC, Bruno, LITS, Scoutpilot, Flieger, TPG, Zaphod, and a host of others I apologize for not mentioning directly, we want to hear YOUR impressions and lessons on Professionalism. Probably one of the more important topics I can think of that has ever been brought up for these future leaders to read about and digest....
I think the prospective candidates and current cadets (plus those young newly commisioned officers, parents, and lurkers who frequent these forums) can benefit GREATLY from a discussion on this topic. I ask some of our "old heads" to join in the discussion, giving their perspectives on "Professionalism" and some of the "tricks of the trade" in being a good leader, mentor, and example. All I ask is we keep it "professional"; we may disagree on minor points, but we all know in the end that each of us strive (or were striven) to be the best "professionals" we possibly can be.
I'll start by giving some examples of qualities I admired in some of my previous bosses and leaders that I respected. Qualities that I thought made them the type of leader I wanted to be as I rose in rank, and tried to emulate as I got there.
- Even temperament. Level headed when the hard problems surfaced (and they always do). Didn't fly off the handle when the proverbial brown stuff hit the rotating blades. By their keeping an even keel, we kept one as well.
- Took the time to "think" before "reacting". Goes hand in hand with even temperament. Nothing will kill a leader's credibility faster than flying off the handle then having to apologize later because they didn't think it through.
- "Do as I say AND as I do". Set the example for all, always. Didn't just give lectures on proper ways to do things and then go of and do just the opposite because "I'm the boss and I don't have to live by the rules I set for you."
- Listened more than they spoke. You have good people working for you. Hopefully, good SMART people. And you hopefully realize they have your unit's best interests at heart just as much as you do. Listen to what they have to say, digest their inputs, and THEN make a decision. You don't have to agree with them, but a good leader will take everything into consideration before they act.
- Always acted as if "THEY" are watching. THEY could be your subordinates, your bosses, your Mom, your wife, the unit's spouses, the enlisted folks in the ext unit over, ALL OF THEM. In other words, EVERYTHING you do should be to the example you set, and should be up-and-up and done with class.
Mongo brought up a fantastic example in the McC thread: would I discuss politics with my subordinates in a "casual/social" manner, knowing I'm "setting the example"? Answer: yes and no. Policies and political issues that impact us as a unit? Probably, but in a very social / casual atmosphere, and I would keep my comments VERY RESPECTFUL of the civilian leadership O was talking about. Personal attacks against the civilian leadership with subordinates and bosses? Probably not. "The President Sucks" doesn't cut it in my book in front of the troops. "The President just doesn't get it" or "I can't believe he DID that!" may be more appropriate when I know I can be making an impression. Just calling it the way I see it.
And I'll stop at there. I know there are TONS more of examples; I'll leave it up to others to contribute them. And it doesn't have to be "list format" like I started. A good, open flow discussion will be just as beneficial to all.
Bottom Line: Mongo, CC, Bruno, LITS, Scoutpilot, Flieger, TPG, Zaphod, and a host of others I apologize for not mentioning directly, we want to hear YOUR impressions and lessons on Professionalism. Probably one of the more important topics I can think of that has ever been brought up for these future leaders to read about and digest....