An Important Leadership Trait -- Commitment

Good Morning Shipmates:

Was inspired for this blog post after attending a Supply Corp Birthday Ball recently where the guest speaker was one of my heroes...former NFL Coach Mike Dikta (I am a life-long Bears fan!). And he made note of a very popular life & leadership training principle called "ACE" - Attitude, Commitment and Enthusiasm. The word that popped out at me (one of our Core Values, of course) was Commitment.

Why? Because it is one of the most important leadership principles I use in passing on my experiences to our young Chiefs, LPOs and upcoming Second Class Petty Officers. Take a look at what the Chief of Naval Operations defines as Commitment: simply, "Taking Care of our Sailors".

You, as a leader, make a Commitment to your sailors.....all the time. For example: I faithfully, for each sailor in one of my divisions, put together an Every 3-Month Review Program. It includes the following for discussion, follow-up, correction, and advice:

* Review last Career Development Board or schedule
* Ensure Semi-Annual Review scheduled & ensure sailor is aware
* Provide schedule for next Eval/FITREP & ensure sailor aware of prepping brag sheet
* Discuss: Qualifications (i.e. 3M, DC, etc.) including any rating school/course qualifications
* Discuss: Job Satisfaction (interested in learning other portions of rating)
* Division Officer Notebook updates, as needed
* Discuss: Personal (i.e. family, financial, time issues, command issues, etc.)
* Discuss: Career Plans Status (i.e. college, special programs, etc.)
* Provide review of sailor's leadership and mentor skills
* Discuss: Navy advancement exam study skills, references, any problems or questions

10 simple items that will take only about 15 minutes per sailor in your division -- and don't forget to delgate the junior personnel to your CPOs and LPOs so they learn this program as well. It pays ENORMOUS dividends.

Now I understand most of the above should be discussed at CDBs. However, over the year's period, things change, you get busy, and this program may suddenly, if you do not make a COMMITMENT to it, will fall by the way-side. Do it one period, and then the second, but then your schedule overwhelms you, and you forget the third 3-Month Period Review.

Don't let that happen! Why? Sailors will notice --- I guarantee it!

They will then think it simply was another program, with good intentions, that meant nothing.

Make a COMMITMENT to your sailors. Once you do, you will easily see a bunch of "ACE"s in your division.

Have a great Navy Day!,
SKCS Chuck Zwierzynski