The Task is the training ground for the trade of being a leader. This is the place where seeds are planted deep and watered. Did one set the conditions for success with their charges, and will the charges heed the lessons taught? Have faith, be bold, and maintain situational awareness.
In Action – 3 Parts
- Preparing the Task
- The Task (7/11/2022)
- Post Task Debrief
2. The Task
a. Start the Task
Ensure the charge is being productive in their actions (i.e., progress toward the goal). This is NOT about being perfect. It is simply about whether they are inside the deliverable boundary (yes or no).
The goal is to foster confidence by allowing them freedom to work. Just because it is not one’s idea or process does not make it wrong—it just makes it different.
Note: One may feel a little ill, but that is normal.
b. Challenges
With this freedom, charges will find themselves in uncharted waters. The leader provides enough resources and knowledge to the charge to have enough rope to work and produce a suitable solution set.
One wants the charge to work through picking courses of action and then correcting. This is how one learns. However, if it appears the charge is going to hang themselves with that rope, one needs to step in and provide guidance on the next steps forward.
The goal here is to teach problem-solving:
i. How to state problems, potential solutions, and perceived outcomes
ii. Thinking through secondary and tertiary effects
iii. Understanding boundaries, including:
– A. Safety
– B. Quality
– C. Limit of Advance
c. Deliverables
The goal here, as stated above, is an acceptable product—not a perfect product.
The leader ensures it meets the standard with the charge. If it does not, the leader works with them to make it so. Then the leader passes it to the customer.
When thanked, the leader sings the charge’s praises. If there are complaints, the leader takes the hit.