Deck Plate Leadership Essay

Deck plate leadership, leading by example and getting to know your people. How often do we hear this? Quite a bit, as a matter of fact you hear about it but don’t necessarily see a lot of it. It is easy to sit back and do your daily work, for whatever reason it is, whether it is because we have a lot to do that day, over tasked and undermanned or plain old busy. To me leadership is getting out there and talking to the crew. Seeing and understanding how they feel, what they feel and where they are coming from. It’s easy to think you know, or think you have a “feel” for how or what the crew thinks. But do we really? Are we in touch with the crew? Do you remember where you came from? I remember thinking to myself as a young soldier and sailor “one day when I make Chief”. That hasn’t changed for me except for one thing. Through my …show more content…
It’s not always easy, sometimes we have to have those uncomfortable conversations, but that is what we do. Throughout the course of my career I have had many mentors both good and bad. I have learned what to do, what not to do and what works for me with my leadership style. The Army platoon SGT who pushed me to my best even when it was painful, he gave me the hard tasks to complete even when unpleasant. The 1st class who gossiped in front of me in an unprofessional matter with another or their peers when I was a 3rd, is that what they do when talking about all the junior petty officers? The First Class/Chief/Warrant Officer who stood up for you when times were tough when showing you, by their actions that they care even when you make a mistake. These are all major influences in my career that inspired my leadership style that I now take and make my own. A few things I would like to improve in order to become a better leader are: ensure expectations are known, balance work with personal life