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Before I joined the Naval Aviation community, I didn't much like feedback. Someone would offer advice or criticism, and my defenses would go up. How dare someone contradict the picture of perfection I held of myself?
Okay, maybe I wasn't such a prima donna, but I've certainly learned how to give and receive feedback much more effectively through my experience in flight debriefs. More
The military is generally applauded for its understanding and practice of leadership. Countless books have been written about it—and are quickly read by business men and women hoping they can catch an ounce of inspiration to help them climb the next figurative hill in their corporate battles. So we should pat ourselves on the back…we're part of a long line of professional leaders!
Okay, okay. You can stop now. Because I'm here to help you reevaluate that notion. Yes, we lead, but we also manage. In fact, if your early training was anything like mine, the emphasis was on technical expertise and management skills. You might expect that you'll get leadership training when you reach a high enough pay grade, but I would assert that you can and should be a leader right now. More
Bad bosses: they're here to stay. They provide great fodder for discussions in the goat locker and at wardroom tables. How many times have you heard yourself or someone else calling their boss an "idiot?"
Idiots take all forms, wouldn't you agree? You've got guys who can't make a decision to save their lives, and others who make rash decisions. You've got ones who couldn't seem to care less about their people and still others who seem way too touchy-feely. Believe it or not, I think we can learn something from all of them. More
When a friend asked me to share my perspectives on leadership in the Fleet, I jumped at the chance. After all, my call sign in the squadron wasn't "Gabby" for nothing. But would my combat-hardened brothers and sisters want to hear what I had to say? Perhaps…and here are a few reasons why.
Leaders are always learning. Although the leadership courses I took at the Boat School were not always the best, I learned something new from them every time. But do we stop learning about leadership when we leave the school house? No. In fact, we just move from the proverbial "frying pan" into the "fire" of operational leadership. Exams are replaced by FITREPs, blue booklets by green canvas-covered books, and Fs by fatal accidents. (But, no pressure….!) More
Ask the Expert: Q & A
| | Q: | I know that I tend to procrastinate when making decisions, and it drives some people crazy. How can I be a more effective decision-maker? | | A: | If you tend to wait until the last minute (or later) to make decisions, one of the best things you can do is simply decide to decide. This sounds basic, if not redundant, and it's meant to. When you make one decision, it's easier to make more.
| Back to Top | | | Q: | I've got a Sailor working for me and he's not performing well in his division. I don't think he's a bad egg but he may be in the wrong job. How can I address this issue productively? | | A: | First of all, this isn't something I would try to do behind closed doors. All too often, we're tempted to move our folks around like chess pieces, trying to guess where they'll be the most productive, develop the most skills, etc. Involve him in discussions from the beginning.
When you talk with him, ask about the types of tasks he enjoys performing, what skills he'd like to master and whether or not he thinks he has had enough opportunity to practice them in his current position. If his answer to the last question is "no," he may already be open to exploring other options. If his answer is "yes," or if the tasks and skills he mentions are not in alignment with the division's needs, be prepared to offer your most objective observations of his behavior.
There are a few great resources that can guide your explorations:
- Outside of your command, consult the Fleet and Family Support Center. Often, the Transition Assistance Counselor is able to give service members various assessments that uncover strengths, interests and weaknesses. Two that may help your Sailor are the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.
- Staying within your command, you may refer him to your Command Career Counselor for other options. You can refer him to the book, Please Understand Me, by David Keirsey, which discusses personality preferences and includes a self-scored assessment. You might learn something from it too – in the section entitled, "Temperament in Leading."
If you take a sincere interest in helping him to discover the right fit for himself while ensuring that your division's needs are met, this can be a win-win situation. Good luck! | | Back to Top | | | Q: | I have been in the Navy for 7 years and have been subjected to various styles of leadership, most of which were lacking positive reinforcement, follow-up, and the required leading from the front attitude. I have personally been subjected by inappropriate behavior by 75% of my Upper Chain of Command at each of my last 3 stations of assignment. It actually started with my Recruit Division Commander spraying perfume on the females' pillow at night, offering up the use of his cell phone, and overall treating the females better. I had a chief offer me duty free status in exchange for sexual favors. What message does this send? I joined with the intentions of becoming a better person...to learn a level of discipline, self respect, unit cohesion, and to be part of a team. I have seen nor learned any of these characteristics. Everyone is in it for themselves. Unfortunately I have lost all respect for the branch of service and am seeking out ways that I can regain that if at all possible. I am just an E-5 with four more years of obligated service left and know that I will never be able to fix the issues that currently exist. I just want others to recognize that these things are happening and do exist. Does anyone else see this behavior throughout the ranks or have personally experienced it? How can we fix this? | | A: | Please check the Navy section in the Ask an Expert feature under Cheat Codes for the response. | | Back to Top |
Want Gouge? Ask Your Own Question
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