Am I looking at this the wrong way?

[SKC Raymond Kurtz (Ret)]

I’m wondering if I missed something at LAMS, the CPOA and the leadership books I have read.

My Senior Chief instructed an SK2 to send out e-mails on several occasions to the enlisted folks that work for me and the Senior Chief.

The e-mails from the SK2 go something like this:

“Senior Chief Smith (not his real name) has instructed me to tell you that you are reminded to submit the reports to him NLT close of business Friday.”

Should I be taking orders from an SK2? I find this to be highly aggravating. I also wonder why the Senior Chief didn’t just send the e-mails himself. Of course, I could be wrong, maybe it is okay for an SK2 to tell a CPO what to do.

What say you.

[BMCM Bruce Bradley]

It's all in the wording. The SK2 could be the one sending it to all hands as a reminder. But if you want to know why the SKCS didn't do it you'll have to ask them.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

What a lazy ass.. If the SKCS wanted to send out a "reminder" e-mail that should have taken him all of 5 minutes... instead he "delegated" that to the SK2. Keep in mind the SK2 was doing what he was told to do..

In my opinion there are better ways to send out "reminder" notices"... I have no idea how many needed to be sent out... or what they were for. As you can see, once some people have the authority to delegate things out.. they do.

I don't see this as you "taking orders" from a SK2... The SK2 didn't tell you "what to do".. he reminded you.. Your call.... If you find it terribly aggravating you should send the Senior Chief an e-mail and tell him so.

Just my opinion. You asked.. you got it. ;)

Wray... :cool:

[BMCS Mike Ellis]

He'll probably feel the same way about you once he sees you decided to complain about him on the internet instead of calling first.

He's a fellow Chief. I think you should work this out with him directly.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Yep......... I agree with you Mike... while some things warrant an opinion here, not everything does.

[PAC Sarah Foster]

SK2, as the messenger, was directed to communicate to the division. Are we shooting the messenger here?

We need to be careful not to be too wrapped around rank and structure when simple things need to stay simple, or not, having the boss communicate "no-brainer" taskings (that is, reminding you to send reports) takes time away from their managing the division. Remember, for the most part, managers or division heads delegate very simple "no-brainer" communications to subordinates or junior folks. The last thing you want is for the boss to intervene on what needs to happen on the lowest possible level- you may end up asking for more work than originally intended.

Maybe, communicating the message could have been better, otherwise, tasking is different from communicating. Let's not be confused who wanted this task done.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Sarah, regardless of what the message was, it was, in my view wrong for the SKCS to have a second class send a division wide email with tasking or reminders. Why couldnt the SKCS do it himself or just ask the Chief to do it instead? If I have something that needs to be passed to the whole crew I damn sure dont ask the FA to do it.

It was also just as wrong for Ray to bring it here vice talking to the SKCS about it.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz (Ret)]

[QUOTE=BMCS Nick Pupo;39352It was also just as wrong for Ray to bring it here vice talking to the SKCS about it.[/QUOTE]

It sure was, however, I have tried to speak to the Senior about delegating jobs to no avail, it still keeps happening. For instance, I was assigned a task involving the modification of some files that he should have done because he will be in charge of the docments after I retire very shortly. I was told that I will do them and that is that. Rather than continue to argue the point, I just went ahead and did the work because that was the easiest thing to do.

Hey, I realize that he is the Senior Chief and can do what he wants, I only have to put up with it for 13 more days then it will be someone else's problem.

One more thing, a couple of months ago I was given one of the best compliments I have ever received. A newly arrived third class said that I was the only Chief that he has seen that actually did any physical work. Wow, did that make me feel good.

Thanks for the comments.

[BMCM Bruce Bradley]

Hey, I realize that he is the Senior Chief and can do what he wants, I only have to put up with it for 13 more days then it will be someone else's problem.


You just gotta love a great attitude. Sorry but in my opinion this entire thread would have been better some place else.

[AMTCM John Long]

Ray,

I don't know if I would have posted my disagreement with my boss on here (or anywhere) either. IMO that's for behind closed doors or "out back". Why is he bypassing you and going to the SK2? Did you piss him off? He could be thinking the same sentiment you expressed....only 13 days left. Just a look at it from a different perspective......

John

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Ray, you can point out my quote all you want. But you didnt include that info in your initial post.
As Bruce said, it should have been posted somewhere else. But you decided on the forum.
As John said, and I'll paraphrase, 13 days left? Now my thoughts, maybe it's you he doesnt trust.

Oh and by the way, how much "physical work" does an SK do anyway?:D

[BMCS Mike Ellis]

Ray,
I have often disagreed with fellow Chiefs, including those in my chain of command. However, I've never considered posting my dirty laundry online for the world (including my boss and subordinates) to see.

Perhaps the Creed we hold so dear and loyalty amongst Chiefs means something else to you than it does to the rest of us.

Best of luck to you.

[MKC Francisco Magrans]

You just gotta love a great attitude. Sorry but in my opinion this entire thread would have been better some place else.

I totally agree.............

[CWO Shad Hudgins (MSTC)]

Sounds like mess business to me. Should be addressed in Chief's Call.

[CWO Keith Wilbee (DCCS)]

OK I tried to sit here and not respond. I even didn't respond yesterday when I really wanted too. There are multiple issues with this whole post.
First Ray you said the SK2 was tasked with sending it to all the enlisted who worked for you and the SCPO. But you said " Do you work for an SK2, but it was sent to the folks that work for you and not meant for you. Knowing you didnt have much time left.

The SCPO could have just simply not wanted to bother you with such simple tasking. But without two way communications you wouldn't have known it.

I also think that after a 29 to 30 year career you might have known what you were doing when you posted this. I truely hope that you didnt do this just for spite. Heck you could have been a SCPO or more over your career. Sometimes when we make decisons we suffer more than we realize, and sometimes that means we will have to work for people that we just dont see as good leaders. You have had a great career why trash it with 13 days left?