Ineffective Leadership Traits in Enlisted AND Officers Edited: Mike Wyatt with edits CMDCM Olsen
- Which of the items below applies to you?
- Have you had lousy leaders?
- What indicators do you have that you are ineffective yourself?
Maybe you are not a leader.......
If you really want to determine someone’s leadership ability, give them some rope and responsibility with measurable accountability and see what they do with it. Leaders will produce results. It’s rarely always ideal, especially in new or young leaders, but good leaders will always find a way to get the job done.
In 365 - A key responsibility is to become a solid leader yourself so you can build and mold even stronger leaders.
Just because a person is in a leadership position, wears a khaki (or any) uniform, or displays a fine ribbon-rack does not mean they should be a leader. Put another way, not all leaders were created equal. The military does not have a perfect process in place for identifying the good leaders from the poor ones but the Navy overall does a pretty good job - but in the end, if a poor leader put you forward, presented an amazing EVAL\FITREP, and scored you inappropriately "as if you were one"... then YOU MUST HONESTLY SELF ASSESS and decide if you are going to actually Lead and own the accountability that goes with it- or just act like it...
If I wanted actors, I would go to Hollywood - but I want Leaders - we need leaders!
Leaders need to be honest, have a demonstrated track record of success, be excellent communicators, place an emphasis on serving those they lead, be fluid in approach, have laser focus, and a bias toward action. If these traits are not possessed by your current leadership team, or your up and coming leaders, you will be in for a rocky road ahead…
GET THERE - OR GET OUT!
The Mess
- Have you had lousy leaders?
- What indicators do you have that you are ineffective yourself?
Maybe you are not a leader.......
If you really want to determine someone’s leadership ability, give them some rope and responsibility with measurable accountability and see what they do with it. Leaders will produce results. It’s rarely always ideal, especially in new or young leaders, but good leaders will always find a way to get the job done.
In 365 - A key responsibility is to become a solid leader yourself so you can build and mold even stronger leaders.
Just because a person is in a leadership position, wears a khaki (or any) uniform, or displays a fine ribbon-rack does not mean they should be a leader. Put another way, not all leaders were created equal. The military does not have a perfect process in place for identifying the good leaders from the poor ones but the Navy overall does a pretty good job - but in the end, if a poor leader put you forward, presented an amazing EVAL\FITREP, and scored you inappropriately "as if you were one"... then YOU MUST HONESTLY SELF ASSESS and decide if you are going to actually Lead and own the accountability that goes with it- or just act like it...
If I wanted actors, I would go to Hollywood - but I want Leaders - we need leaders!
- Character Weakness: A leader who lacks character or integrity will not endure the test of time. It doesn't matter how intelligent, affable, persuasive, or savvy a person is, if they are prone to rationalizing unethical behavior based upon current or future needs they will eventually fall prey to their own undoing…
- Lack of Performance: Nobody is perfect, but leaders who consistently fail are not leaders, no matter how much you wish they were. While past performance is not always a certain indicator of future events, a long-term track record of success should not be taken lightly. Someone who has consistently experienced success in leadership roles has a much better chance of success than someone who has not. It’s important to remember unproven leaders come with a high risk premium.
- Poor Communication Skills: Show me a leader with poor communication skills and I’ll show you someone who will be short-lived in their position. Great leaders can communicate effectively across ranks, people, circumstances and environments. They are active listeners, fluid thinkers, and know when to dial it up, down, or off.
- Self-Serving Nature: If a leader doesn’t understand the concept of “service above self” they will not engender the trust, confidence, and loyalty of those they lead. Any leader is only as good as his or her team’s desire to be led by them. An over abundance of ego, pride, and arrogance are not positive leadership traits. BLUF; if a leader receives a vote of non-confidence from their subordinates…game over.
- One Size Fits All Leadership Style: Great leaders are fluid and flexible in their approach but rigid in mission completion and determination. They understand that “My way or the highway” leadership styles don’t play well over the long term, and ultimately results in a fractured climate, and ultimately a non-productive organization. Only those leaders who can quickly recognize and adapt their methods to the situation at hand will be successful over the long haul.
- Lack of Focus and Follow-Through: Those leaders who lack the focus and attention to detail needed to apply leverage and resources in an aggressive and committed fashion will perish. Leaders who do not possess a bias toward action, or who cannot deliver on their obligations will not be successful. Leadership is about performance…Intentions must be aligned with results for leaders to be effective.
- Not Forward Looking: No vision equals no leadership. Leaders satisfied with the status quo, or who tend to be more concerned about survival than growth won’t do well over the long-run. The best leaders are focused on leading change and innovation to keep their organizations fresh, dynamic and growing. Bottom line – leaders who build a static organization doom themselves to failure.
- Disconnected from the Mission: Leaders not attuned to the needs of the mission will fail. As the old saying goes, if you’re not taking care of your Sailors, someone else will be more than happy to end them! Successful leaders find ways to consistently engage Sailors and incorporate them into mission innovation and planning initiatives. If you ignore, mistreat, or otherwise don’t value your Sailors, your days as a leader are most certainly numbered.
- Not committed: Leaders are fully invested in those they lead. They support, build, mentor, and coach their team, and themselves. They truly care for their team. A leader not fully invested in their team won’t have a team – at least not an effective one.
- Not Accountable: Real leaders are accountable. They don’t blame others, don’t claim credit for the success of their team, but always accept responsibility for failures that occur on their watch. Most of all, leaders are accountable to their team. Leaders not accountable to their people will eventually be held accountable by their people.(M. Myatt)
- Not Focused: Leaders who are not intentional and are not focused, will fail themselves and their team. Leaders who lack discipline will model the wrong behaviors and will inevitably spread themselves too thin. Organizations are at greatest risk when leaders lose their focus.
- Lacking Vision: Poor vision, tunnel vision, vision that is fickle, or a non-existent vision will cause leaders to fail. A leader’s job is to align the organization around a clear and achievable vision. This cannot occur when the blind lead the blind.
Leaders need to be honest, have a demonstrated track record of success, be excellent communicators, place an emphasis on serving those they lead, be fluid in approach, have laser focus, and a bias toward action. If these traits are not possessed by your current leadership team, or your up and coming leaders, you will be in for a rocky road ahead…
GET THERE - OR GET OUT!
The Mess