Sam.

Thanks for posting this and sharing on campus.  I’m really enjoying the podcast and looking forward to the continued discussion.

As a post command CPT I really found the conversation about ‘not taking criticism personally’ interesting. I’ve sat across the desk and used that phrase more than once in a counseling session.  It’s easy to forget, but of course, criticism is personal! I won’t be making that mistake again and will be striking that phrase from my vocabulary. What really makes the difference is if the criticism is provided to help someone improve or is it just to make yourself feel better or look smarter. You’d think the second doesn’t happen very often, but it does and I’ve found a good ‘indicator’ of a toxic leader/environment.

Don’t forget you owe your subordinates honest and constructive feedback. It can often be a very uncomfortable conversation and for many of your subordinates it may be the first time they have been told they aren’t the best thing since sliced bread.

Take the time to counsel the Leaders you rate and senior rate, you’ll be surprised how many people don’t, and they will thank you for it.

Dallas