1. Leadership is influencing and motivating others through inspiration. I see true leadership in the way a person lives his or her life. As a young man I was blessed with several elders who raised and mentored me in many aspects of life. Through my Coast Guard career I have appreciated multiple leaders who inspired me to reach high and settle for nothing less than exceptional. If I were to name one man who exemplifies leadership to me, it would be Rear Admiral David Throop. I first met Admiral Throop during a Standardization (STAN) Team visit in Traverse City, MI. Part of the STAN Teams assessment was an all AST shop physical test and that morning, Captain Throop was waiting in the shop ready to participate. It was truly inspiring to …show more content…
Learning to actively listen to diverse points of view from other people continues to be a growth point in my personal leadership. My demeanor and personality tend to provide a barrier for open communication with colleagues. My questions are direct and my tone can be firm giving the misconception that I am arguing vice discussing a point. One member occasionally felt I was “forceful with my opinion and it is best for them (those who work for me) to find their own way”. Another commented that “at times it can be difficult to interject a contributable thought during discourse” In the future I will focus on listening intently and “hearing” what others say while keeping dialogue void of argumentative language or tone. Through this process I hope to nurture a more effective and open communication …show more content…
Although I work hard to provide people with a great deal of freedom and choice in deciding how to complete their work, some believe my work ethic is too high. This leads to undue stress and anxiety in the work environment. As one manager stated, “His strong willingness to work hard and hold others to that same standard is hard for others to follow at times”. Growing up, my father was specific in his expectation and “perfect” was well below it. As a leader I must strive to find balance between my expectations and the abilities and drive of those in my charge. The generational differences that exist between my young petty officers and myself continues to be a challenge when it comes to measuring high performance. I need to measure their performance by success and not the manner in which they achieve it. At the same time I will strive to inspire them to reach their full potential through mentorship and setting personal goals. Understanding what drives an individual and trusting they will find their way with the right guidance will require more patience as I continue to focus on my personal