I am trying to advantageously employ a highly experienced, somewhat skilled, somewhat less than intelligent soldier. Today was an especially frustrating day.
Short, simple instructions to complete one task and move on to the next. Not complicated, not said fast, and confirmation requested and received that the instructions were clearly understood. 90 seconds later, as I was about to start my 1430 lunch, he comes in and asks what he's supposed to do next.
12 year Cpl, maximum supervision required. No leadership ability, ok. Less than smart, ok. Motivated and wanting to help, great! The inability to stfu and listen, the inability to accept feedback, the inability to process the most basic of tasks...
Cpl, our intent is to test A, to confirm that we're good to go with the kit we already have. You are going to use that A, right there, like this. Understood?
Fifteen minutes later, seen bringing another A from stores back to starting location... Cpl, why are you bringing another A over here? "Oh, well I wasn't sure that that one would work, so I signed this one out to make sure."
I have many painful experiences with this guy.
He means well. He's absorbed some things by osmosis. I accept that he has limitations. But I do not accept that he can not learn the following:
If you don't understand, say so. If you think you might not understand, say so.
Listen when I say "my intent is..."
When I say why the end result is not what I wanted, it is not an invitation for you to babble about what you thought while I'm talking. It is not me saying you're wrong! It is me explaining to you what was intended and what actions to take in the future. Its a learning experience.
I have been polite. I have been forceful. I have taken a step back and tried to explain all this stuff in the bigger picture and why I do what I do.
I'm fine with a career corporal who's never going to be an effective leader. But he's not an effective follower, and I want to help him become more effective within his limitations.
I've dealt with lazy, I've dealt with mentally ill, folks with a perpetual personal crisis, and I've dealt with snakes. I'm not new to being a boss. This guy, I'd take any thoughts on how to be more effective. I want to give him useful PD.
Short, simple instructions to complete one task and move on to the next. Not complicated, not said fast, and confirmation requested and received that the instructions were clearly understood. 90 seconds later, as I was about to start my 1430 lunch, he comes in and asks what he's supposed to do next.
12 year Cpl, maximum supervision required. No leadership ability, ok. Less than smart, ok. Motivated and wanting to help, great! The inability to stfu and listen, the inability to accept feedback, the inability to process the most basic of tasks...
Cpl, our intent is to test A, to confirm that we're good to go with the kit we already have. You are going to use that A, right there, like this. Understood?
Fifteen minutes later, seen bringing another A from stores back to starting location... Cpl, why are you bringing another A over here? "Oh, well I wasn't sure that that one would work, so I signed this one out to make sure."
I have many painful experiences with this guy.
He means well. He's absorbed some things by osmosis. I accept that he has limitations. But I do not accept that he can not learn the following:
If you don't understand, say so. If you think you might not understand, say so.
Listen when I say "my intent is..."
When I say why the end result is not what I wanted, it is not an invitation for you to babble about what you thought while I'm talking. It is not me saying you're wrong! It is me explaining to you what was intended and what actions to take in the future. Its a learning experience.
I have been polite. I have been forceful. I have taken a step back and tried to explain all this stuff in the bigger picture and why I do what I do.
I'm fine with a career corporal who's never going to be an effective leader. But he's not an effective follower, and I want to help him become more effective within his limitations.
I've dealt with lazy, I've dealt with mentally ill, folks with a perpetual personal crisis, and I've dealt with snakes. I'm not new to being a boss. This guy, I'd take any thoughts on how to be more effective. I want to give him useful PD.