One of the most challenging things at being a great leader has been the ability to adapt to our worlds ever changing culture and traditions, preserving what is essential and what are outdated ideas. (Heifetz, 2009) To me this has been ever so evident during the past year, learning what once worked with one group of Soldiers no longer fit my new platoon. When I first joined the Army, I learned you don’t ask questions, you listen and execute. Learning from past experiences I executed the same mindset which didn’t result the same effects as previously. I learned to adapt keeping certain traits from previous leaders and learning from those under my command on what type of support they needed from me. My Leadership Philosophy is ever changing to
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Before being placed in this position it has been two years since I had direct responsibility of Soldiers. The leadership prior was much different in their style of leading them. Jaded from their past experiences my initial leadership style wasn’t received well by everyone. These were subject matter experts in their systems I have never worked on. I learned quickly to be humble with them, explaining that I had little experience with their systems and that I would need their help in learning what they do. It took time, but they learned to trust me, being more open and receptive to my ways ensured they learned from me as I of …show more content…
Within two months of taking the platoon, we lost several of the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) leaving a void within the platoon. I initially attempted to be nice and not be completely honest with my more senior Specialists trying to shelter them but quickly learned that only hindered their development that they were more receptive to respectful but blunt honesty. With a diverse group of Soldiers young and old, I had to learn to connect with all personality types and ages of Soldiers by relating my past experiences and explaining that I’ve gone through similar challenges.
As I continue to refine and develop my leadership style I learn to adapt to any situation I find myself in. Unfortunately, I have learned that I immerse myself in my work and leading my Soldiers that I forget to take care of myself. In times, I became an ineffective leader being more sympathetic than
Before being placed in this position it has been two years since I had direct responsibility of Soldiers. The leadership prior was much different in their style of leading them. Jaded from their past experiences my initial leadership style wasn’t received well by everyone. These were subject matter experts in their systems I have never worked on. I learned quickly to be humble with them, explaining that I had little experience with their systems and that I would need their help in learning what they do. It took time, but they learned to trust me, being more open and receptive to my ways ensured they learned from me as I of …show more content…
Within two months of taking the platoon, we lost several of the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) leaving a void within the platoon. I initially attempted to be nice and not be completely honest with my more senior Specialists trying to shelter them but quickly learned that only hindered their development that they were more receptive to respectful but blunt honesty. With a diverse group of Soldiers young and old, I had to learn to connect with all personality types and ages of Soldiers by relating my past experiences and explaining that I’ve gone through similar challenges.
As I continue to refine and develop my leadership style I learn to adapt to any situation I find myself in. Unfortunately, I have learned that I immerse myself in my work and leading my Soldiers that I forget to take care of myself. In times, I became an ineffective leader being more sympathetic than