LD 1-2, 2-3, 3-3: Setting a Positive Leadership environment/ Command climate

1. LD 1-2, 2-3, 3-3:Setting a Positive Leadership environment/Command climate CAO: 30 Sep 2013

2. We Can Meet Our Goals Both Ways—You Choose Unit XX • I’m better than you • You don’t belong • Do this because I said so • Why can’t you do it and your classmates can? • What’s wrong with you? • We don’t know who’s doing the training

3. We Can Meet Our Goals Both Ways—You Choose Unit XX Unit ZZ We, us, our You’re part of our Co now Here’s why this matters If they can do it, so can you As a leader, have I set expectations and properly trained the knob? Commander & 1SG are on scene • I’m better than you • You don’t belong • Do this because I said so • Why can’t you do it and your classmates can? • What’s wrong with you? • We don’t know who’s doing the training

4. Purpose Understand concept of command climate Appreciate command team’s responsibilities regarding command climate Examine unit command climate & consider ways to enhance or improve environment

5. BLUF A positive command climate is rooted in TRUST A positive command climate creates COMMITMENT & TEAMWORK A strong command climate leads to mission and people SUCCESS A positive command climate is sustained only through routine affirmation and reinforcement by entire leadership team

6. What is Command Climate (CC)? S

7. What is Command Climate (CC)? • Perception among cadets about their leaders, unit, mission, programs & policies (positive and negative) • Enhanced or constrained by culture • Dynamic and can change quickly • AY12-13 Co CDR: “Morale is the most fickle thing…it changes with the wind. One day it will be up and then two hours later it will be down” • Created by commander’s vision, focus, & persistent leadership • Most influential element of command climate is leadership S

8. Why is Command Climate Important? • “While there are many leadership styles, the result must be a unit of Marines and Sailors who have absolute trust in their leaders, and in their competence.” – USMC Message, June 2013 • A strong command climate: • Creates trust, commitment, teamwork • Enhances mission success • Develops people S

9. What is Commander’s Responsibility? A Commander is responsible for EVERYTHING Commander “owns” command climate

10. How do I assess outfit Climate? S

11. How do I assess outfit Climate? • Self Assessment – walk around a lot & everywhere • Unit appearance • Personal appearance • Guards • Mindset – value initiative & accept mistakes; positive • Metrics – academics, class absences, PT scores, parade results, punishment orders, retention • Morale & Trust – overall, within classes, between classes • Participation rates in activities • Level of commitment to goals & priorities S

12. Assessment What is our command climate? Is the climate what we want it to be? What actions can we recommend to our leaders and commit to so as to change our climate?

13. How Do I Create a Positive Command Climate? • Being present • Communicating key themes • Treating everyone fairly • Doing things for the right reasons (the mission) • Valuing teamwork & asking “what do you think” • Accepting subordinates’ initiative & mistakes • Being the example

14. Commander’s Words Matter--The Power of 6 Phrases-- What tone does this set? My fault, I made a mistake (6) You did a good job (5) What do you think (4) Would you, please (3) Thank you (2) We (1) *Adapted from Remarks by Maj Gen Jay Lindell, 21 Oct 2009, at AFROTC Commanders Conference

15. Commander’s Mindset Matters-- Alan Wilson, SC Attorney General-- SERVE GENUINELY CARE • “As a leader, I love being in a room where everyone else is smarter than me.” HARNESS THE THOROUGHBREDS – IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU “Leadership is about service…the whole purpose of a leader’s training is to allow him/her to take care of the team.” “Never keep a soldier at attention, when parade rest will do; never keep a soldier at parade rest, when at ease will do; never keep a soldier at ease, when no formation is required.” *Adapted from Remarks 5 Sep 13 at Honor Committee Luncheon

16. Barracks ApplicationDo we enforce or do we embrace standards? Do we clearly state the purpose for every activity? For example, a leader might say about the Commandant’s Inspection, “this is about our company demonstrating our discipline, our teamwork, and that we’re willing to put in the right level of effort to ‘show off’ our home to the Commandant.” *Adapted from Remarks by Maj Gen Jay Lindell, 21 Oct 2009, at AFROTC Commanders Conference

17. Barracks ApplicationDo we enforce or do we embrace standards? Do we see opportunity to improve the unit or enhance the reputation of the unit in every activity? For example, a leader might say about the CPFT, “Excellence is our standard, which means giving it our personal best in the PT test. Our #1 goal, though, is everyone passes. Motivate each other as we knock out push-ups and sit-ups. When you finish the run, our standard is to go back and find a company mate and get’em across the finish line.” *Adapted from Remarks by Maj Gen Jay Lindell, 21 Oct 2009, at AFROTC Commanders Conference

18. Barracks ApplicationDo we enforce or do we embrace standards? Do we affirm our standards in every activity? For example, a leader might say to the guard, “thanks for being squared away…I notice, and you are setting the tone for the whole battalion.” Do we emphasize unit pride? For example, for Field Day, a leader might have said, “This is about company pride & camaraderie, and it’s about winning. Even when we’re not competing, we’re going to stay together as a company… and we’re going to win.” *Adapted from Remarks by Maj Gen Jay Lindell, 21 Oct 2009, at AFROTC Commanders Conference

19. Question on the Table • 1C: WHAT WILL WE DO DIFFERENTLY FOR REST OF YEAR? • 2C: WHICH POSITIVE BEHAVIORS WILL WE REINFORCE FOR NEXT YEAR & WHICH NEGATIVES WILL WE AVOID IN ACHIEVING OUR DESIRED CLIMATE? • 3C: WHAT ARE WE DOING TO SUPPORT THE COMMAND CLIMATE?

20. Take Aways What actions are we recommending to change our climate? A positive command climate is rooted in trust, creates teamwork and commitment, leads to people & mission success Leaders set the climate Leaders must affirm the climate in daily example

21. Questions and Comments

22. Sample Command Climate • Be on time (standards) • We…us…our (teamwork) • We win…they lose (excellence) • Know where we came from (heritage) Be a Leader…All the Time

23. Command Climate • What does a healthy command climate look like in a Corps of Cadets outfit? • When should you begin to establish your Command Climate? • How do you create a healthy command climate within your unit? s