I come at motivating my subordinates from a side angle – I forbid then from using the word “just”. “I’m just a LT #pull the LT card”, “I’m just a SPC #ShameShield”.   Frequently when in a position of Staff OIC (and I’d say as officers in general), we’re the newbies in the room.  The NCOS and Soldiers have been there sometimes years ahead of us.   So I both pull people aside and openly (and more lightly) correct the self-defeating categorization of “just”.

To elaborate on a one-on-one conversation, I’ll spell out to the individual why that’s both wrong and unhelpful.  They’re been in this job for 1-2-3 years, they know the ins and outs, they know the unit culture and experiences for us all to navigate from.  Also (as I’ve had to say on multiple occasions), I don’t care that you’re a SPC (P or not). You’re the Floor NCO  or even NCOIC, we’ll work on the rank interactions people have with you. (Aside: That’s  alot of standing up for them in front of them and every other moment possible to build their legitimacy for them). Start acting like the leader you’ve been trained to be.  Also, it’s unhelpful because I – as the OIC – 100% need a Battle for this job. That’s not negotiable.  So let’s go, partner, let’s attack these problems.  That starts with stopping  the “just”.

The mixture of correction and partnership works well as a method of motivation.  I do this with everyone in my Shop, PV1 on up.