Sharing YOUR Words of Wisdom

[ENS Craig Dente (OSC)]

Just about all of us have experience writing charge sheets and evals. There's a lot of insightful people that roam these boards. Please share your insight with everyone else.

What is your most important point when imparting wisdom to subordinates or PCPOs? What single value, knowledge, or wisdom do you most hope to pass on to others?

I'll start the conversation. Tact is my number one thing. I don't always use it, but I wish I could. I admire people who have the ability to say the right things the right way at the right time.

Craig

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

There is a thread on the boards that mention signatures on e-mails. I use this one on every one I send out and have for quite some years now

Experience is the worst teacher. It gives the test before presenting the lesson.

I try to let everybody know that they need to give the lesson before going through the same test we did.

[OSC Thomas Jackson]

I usually like to hit upon several things, but I guess the most important ones are these:

1) You will notice more respect given to you by your subordinates once you put on the anchor. This respect is given due to your rank, but in order to get true respect, you must still earn it. I have met Chiefs through out my career who in my eyes did not fill the shoes of a Chief Petty Officer and therefor did not earn my full respect.

2) As a Chief, we will be called upon by our subordinates and by junior officers for guidance and training. We must take the time to help these individuals. Not only will we be helping them, but we will be helping the Coast Guard as a whole by making them stronger leaders.

3) As a Chief, we will be looked upon to set a good example. We must not only show respect for the Coast Guard, but we must show enthusiasm and pride in our work. I know that sometimes this may be hard, but our attitudes towards our work will rub off on our subordinates.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

I use this quote from author Pearl S. Buck.

"Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied."

It is a reminder to think before you act, take a moment to consider the ramifications of the situation before you run off and get into trouble.

[BMC Chuck Lindsey]

"Through surf and storm and howling gale, high shall our purpose be"
- Always Ready

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Never, ever compromise your principles, no matter what it might cost you, or how angry or upset you are.

Barry Rand of Zerox once said that if you have a yes man working for you, one of you is redundant

Life is a good teacher........but 'ya gotta pay attention in class


Raymond

[BMC John Phillips III]

Here are some words of wisdom given to me by my good friend and neighbor a retired Navy Chief,

A boss drives people - A leader coaches them.

A boss depends on authority - A leader depends on good will.

A boss inspires fear - a leader inspires enthusiasm! ;)

A boss says I - a leader says "We"

A boss fixes blame - A leader fixes the breakdown.

A boss knows how it's done - a leader shows how it's done.

A boss says "go" - a leader says "Shall we proceed."

[OSC David Nolan]

Given to me by a friend prior to my initiation two weeks ago.

"Some walls are meant to be climbed, others are meant to be walked around"

I have a tendency to try to bull, not BS, my way through many situations that can be completed by stepping back and finding a different approach.

[EMC Brandon Pfeilmeier]

I try and hit on the aspect of being a Chief. It is easy to be a good Chief when everything is going right, and you have all the time in the world to get something accomplished. It is when you do not have the answers or solutions to a problem, when you are overwhelmed with too much tasking and not enough time. This is when you are going to see what kind of Chief you are. Knowing that you wil never have all the answers, but to know where to find them and go to the mess when you need help. I also try to hit the point of when a Chief calls upon you, try and drop everything to give him/her the help they need.

-Brandon

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

For the longest time I used to tell PCPOs "What's right is right, even if noboby is willing to do it. And what's wrong, is wrong, even if everyone else is doing it. Strive to be right in all situations."

The last people I talked to were given different words. I told them that the future of the Mess relyed solely on their actions. If they choose not to become active members, then the Mess would continue to weaken. If they choose to step up and demand that others did so as well, everyone would benefit. I told them to watch the next non-rate that advanced. Where they are replacing us, that non-rate will one day replace them. Start guiding them now.

[AETC Joseph (Bill) Adams]

I try to stress taking care of your people. Let them worry about their jobs and what is expected and you take care of what might interfere be it another department, JO or whatever. The more secure they feel in their job without reprocussion from mistakes made the better the attitude when the job dictates overtime and long hours. Do your best to train and don't be afraid to get in elbow deep with them to show them proper procedures. You can't prevent all mistakes but someone who doesn't make mistakes is someone who isn't out there doing the job.

[BMC Chris Gempp]

I pass on to new Chiefs also to take care of your people but to remember where you came from. I feel this is a big deal to show people that your not afraid to do a job or ahve them do something that your not willing to do yourself.

[BMC Paul Wells]

Chris,

I completely agree with you. I have always told my guys/gals that I would never have them do anything that I havent already done or wouldnt do myself. Teaching the PCPO's that your people are your greatest resource is key. I cant do a damn thing without my people helping me. All my boats could be in perfect condition, but without my guys/gals to run them, they are no good to anyone.

Give your people the praise when the command says good job.
You take the hit when something went wrong.....after all, we are the leaders and ultimately responsible.

[BMC Chris Gempp]

thanks Paul

[SKCM Linda Reid]

Something about being an active, participating member of the CPO community. At HQ, people tend to get stuck in cubeville.