Are you commanding/ leading blind?: The importance of dissent and feedback loops

While it is important to have a self-reflection mechanism, it is also important to have a feedback loop.  As a Commander, or leader,  it is easy to get stuck in the grind and not have opportunities to obtain feedback or reassess your command approach. As leaders, it is imperative we receive positive and negative feedback through both informal and formal methods.

For one, counselings provide a great opportunity for formal feedback. You should always seek feedback from peers, subordinates, and superiors on how you can improve your leadership. However, it is equally important to gain informal feedback.  Speaking with different commanders some have recommended:

1. Having regular conversations with your platoons or sections. This can seem challenging, especially when you have inventories, administrative duties, etc. However, having regular

2. Utilize the command climate surveys. While some CCA’s turn into a complaint fest, information from CCAs can tell a story and identify problem areas in the company. Most Commanders conduct the initial CCA’s but some don’t follow-up. Make CCAs a priority and schedule them to obtain information.

3. Some commanders have a comment boxes or whiteboards that allow anyone (rank immaterial) to post ideas on how to improve the unit. Some of the best recommendations came from lower-enlisted who were given the opportunity to raise an idea.

Questions:

1. How do you gain or obtain informal feedback?

2. What has been an idea presented by a junior Soldier or leader?