Monday, February 18, 2013

Low Effort/Low Results Leader

I have long been an advocate, proponent, evangelist, and general pain in the butt about Command Excellence.  I would like to write a bit about what I am calling the "Low Effort Leader".  This type of leader is insidious and is antithetical to ever attaining Command Excellence.  Traits of the "Low Effort Leader" include:
  • Persistent tardiness
    • Can't seem to do anything on time
      • FITREPS are late (except his)
      • Awards are late (except his)
      • Meetings start late and end even later
      • Can't seem to arrive at command functions on time
        • persistently keeps DHs/DIVOFFs/Sailors waiting for his 'grand entrance'
  • Persistently inaccessible
    • Officers have to jump through hoops to speak with this leader
    • Keeps people waiting in the staging area outside his office
    • Never able to answer phone calls (Please leave a message at the tone)
    • Don't ever expect an answer to your letter or e-mail from this guy
  • Too brilliant to communicate to "the masses"
    • Never explains anything to the command
  • Persistent 'station keeping' - we're just doing the job
    • Command and Sailors are not moving forward
    • 'Good' is good enough
    • Let's stay in our lane; we don't want to draw any attention to ourselves
    • That's not part of our Mission, Functions and Tasks
 I'll give the "Low Effort Leader" one thing - He sure is persistent.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

"He sure is persistent..."

And consistent!

Hawaii Sailor said...

My boss.

Mike Lambert said...

@ Hawaii Sailor,

Looks like you are posting from PA !!

CWO4 Brian Ashpole, USN- Retired said...

I know this guy. Sometime I'll have to tell you about him.

Mike Lambert said...

@ CWO4 Brian Ashpole,

I think I know him Brian. In fact, we all do and he's a different guy for all of us. Anxious to hear your story about him.