Josh,

Great question and it is an important one for all leaders to ask.

You are absolutely right no Soldier wants to work for an officer that acts and talks like a robot. In fact most of them want to work for someone who can relate to them on a personal level. However, there is a line that you have to draw because at the end of the day you will…[Read more]

Gabe,

What a great question and thank you for discussing this topic. It is significantly harder to bring change to an organization than most people recognize. As a company commander I have found that subordinates do not want to change when/if they do not understand why they need to change.

As a leader, it is your responsibility to establish…[Read more]

Joe,

You can take this farther than simply “command philosophy,” and put in broader terms as Leadership Philosophy. Attached is mine from when I  was a PL (yes, PL). I know not many platoon leaders get this in depth, but from my experience having my philosophy on paper, as something that could be held, looked at and discussed with the Soldiers…[Read more]

A thought; I’m not seeing the BUG HUNTER tag in the “Discussion Tags Area” anymore.

Maybe add a “BUG HUNTER” or maybe a “Submit Forum Feedback” link under the MORE INFORMATION column?

Pat,

Empower your NCOs to create a plan that fits their Squad/Team. You pay them to lead so make them lead their Soldiers, especially at PT. As a PL, your job is to ensure your leaders are challenging their troops and making them better. Also, like any plan, double check it and make sure it makes sense. If a squad is struggling with their run…[Read more]

Pat,

Empower your NCOs to create a plan that fits their Squad/Team. You pay them to lead so make them lead their Soldiers, especially at PT. Allow them to create a plan that best fits their squad/team. As a PL, your job is to ensure your leaders are challenging their troops and making them better. Also, like any plan, double check it and make…[Read more]

It might sound over played and a little cliché’, but I’ve always recommended “Starship Troopers” and “We Were Soldiers, Once and Young.” However there is a host that strike at the heart of the warrior like “Gates of Fire,” as well as the “Challenge of Command” to highlight the enormity of some leadership decisions that they might be put in a…[Read more]

Greg,

Great question and I appreciate that you mentioned a book that is outside of the military realm. Another book that was influential was Jim Collins “Good to Great”. My favorite line in the book (and one that I stole for my command philosophy, “All companies have a culture, some companies have discipline, but few companies have a culture of…[Read more]

Greg,

Great question and I appreciate that you mentioned a book that is outside of the military realm. Another book that was influential was Jim Collins “Good to Great”. My favorite line in the book (and one that I stole for my command philosophy, “<span style=”font-family: ‘Times New Roman’,serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ‘Times…[Read more]