As a civilian employee with forty years of service with the US Army I have seen and worked for countless managers. One military manager that I fondly call Colonel T stands out from the entire cadre of supervisors. This man was, and probably remains, a positive motivator wherever his is today. Colonel T treated everyone in the organization as if they were the most important person whose comments were vital for mission success. However, he also required everyone to be totally responsible for their assigned duties.
As a major program analyst I was to provide him with information that would be used by our General Officer leadership. On one occasion he needed some urgent data for one of Generals who was going to testify before Congress. I missed the boat on one of the key points. Colonel T called me into his office to discuss his disappointment on the information. He never raised his voice but firmly explained the errors and had me redo the paper. I did. After he forwarded the report he took the time to tell me that the revised paper was right on target and what he had expected from me. He never brought that issue up again and never stopped relying on me for future tasks. He view was “over and done with.” Colonel T never carried a grudge.
Colonel T’s respect for and consideration of his workers was a major factor in everyone wanting to come to work, to do the very best we could, to pull together as a close knit team and do whatever was necessary whether routine or emergency work. He never stymied anyone from trying something new that might improve the office proficiency. Colonel T publicly defended his workers and praised us for both personal and professional achievements while privately counseled us when needed. He never embarrassed anyone in public. Colonel T also shared information with the entire office, not just with his supervisors or program analysts. Everyone was brought in on current or revised organizational missions.
Colonel T’s management style remains as a role model for current and future managers. The major point that other managers can employ with their staff is to treat each person as a professional adult and not as a child who needs constant attention. The result is that people work harder, are more productive and are ready to be challenged with more intriguing responsibilities.