FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The Army by its nature is competitive and regularly holds competitions within its ranks. Competitions are used to build esprit de corps and hone warrior skills. Soldiers will train up, be selected, and compete at higher echelons. Squads are formed and Noncommissioned Officers are selected to lead those squads.
The ability to lead and motivate Soldiers is an artform as well as a philosophy. Some individuals have the qualities of a leader built into them, others learn from experience and professional development. In either case, the Army recognizes good leaders to place emphasis on their importance in an organization. Mission success can depend on the proper implementation of leader tactics to ensure everyone is working as a cohesive team toward a common goal.
“My goal was for my whole squad to grow as people, Soldiers, and as future leaders, regardless of winning or losing,” said Staff Sgt. Drew Beam regarding being recognized by Command Sgt. Maj. T. J. Holland, the senior enlisted advisor of the XVIII Airborne Corps, as the Best Noncommissioned Officer of the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition 2022.
Beam attributes his success to the hard work of the Soldiers on his team and comprehensive mentorship and development he received from his leaders. According to Beam, building a cohesive team requires genuine care from a leader to a Soldier to build a trusting relationship.
“You have to get buy-in from Soldiers,” said Beam. “Showing you care about them builds a Soldier’s trust in their leaders. Once that trust is built, you can start building upon it and working together.”
This includes caring about them as a person and wanting Soldiers to succeed both inside and outside the military, Beam said. That demonstrates to the Soldier that the leader is truly invested in them as a person rather than just a Soldier.
“This includes being transparent with your Soldiers about what's being tasked,” said Beam. “Never tell them to do something you're not willing to do yourself. You must show you're going through it just as much they are. Soldiers often follow the tendencies of their leaders. You must show you are dedicated to the success of the mission.
“And as you get ready to move forward on a task or mission you're given, make sure your Soldiers have that foundational knowledge to complete that task,” Beam continued. “It comes down to you as a leader to understand your Soldiers’ strengths and weaknesses in those areas.”
That understanding can come from having a Soldier operate in a controlled environment where they can critically think on their own, make decisions and possibly fail on their own, said Beam. It is important to encourage Soldiers to think critically. One day they are going be the leaders making those critical decisions for themselves. Leaders should provide the Soldiers the standards, tools, and experience to do that.
“Before you hold anybody to a standard, you have to meet that standard yourself,” Beam said. “That’s why I compete and why I am super competitive. It shows Soldiers I am invested, and I constantly want to better myself.”
Beam said Soldiers can use his example as why they should have the mindset to put themselves in uncomfortable positions. The only way they are going to grow is by being in a difficult situation and learn from how they fail or succeed.
Leaders have to constantly hone their proficiencies, Beam said. They must understand their weaknesses and strengths as a leader to set that example for the Soldiers. They must learn not just from their mistakes and successes, but also the mistakes and success of other leaders.
“Take time to reflect on the attributes of both good and bad leaders and use both to hone your leadership style,” said Beam. “Take time to listen to your troops and care, because the most important aspect of being a leader is genuinely caring for your Soldiers.”
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