Establish a Positive Establish a Positive Command ClimateCommand Climate

MQS IIMQS II

Training Support PackageTraining Support Package

Purpose

Developed a plan which results in a majority of the soldiers in the unit stating that theoverall command climate is positive.

References

• FM 22-100 Army Leadership

• DA PAM 600-69 Command Climate

Survey Handbook

• AR 600-20 Army Command Policy

OutlineOutline

• Define command climate

• Assess the command climate to determine the health of your unit

• Apply the elements which contribute to a positive command climate

• Develop a plan to establish or improve the command climate of a unit following the proper sequence of steps

State of MoraleState of Morale

Leadership CompetenciesLeadership Competencies• Communications• Supervision• Teaching & Counseling

• Soldier Team Development• Technical & Tactical Proficiency• Decision Making• Planning• Use of Available Systems• Professional Ethics

Command ClimateCommand Climate- - - - Definition - -Definition - -

A perception among the members of a unit about how they will be treated

by their leaders and what professional opportunities they see within the unit.

MoraleMorale

A moral or mental condition with respect

tocourage, discipline,

and confidence.

Climate AreasClimate Areas

• Officer leadership

• Immediate leaders

• Promotion policy

• Quality of training

• Job satisfaction

• NCO leadership

• Leader accessibility

• Rewards & corrective actions

• Tools, equipment, & supplies

• Freedom from harrassment

• Military courtesy & discipline

Climate Areas (Cont.)Climate Areas (Cont.)

• Unit cohesiveness

• Social activities

• Food

• Morale

• Human relations

• Sports activities

• Freedom from substance abuse

• Soldiers’ attitude toward unit

• Reenlistment potential

• Commander’s use of the UCP

Positive Climate IndicatorsPositive Climate Indicators

• Trust exists in the command• Teamwork, fair play, and

information sharing• Open, candid

communications• Soldier job satisfaction• Soldiers & families attend

unit social/sports activities• Reenlistment rate are high

Establishing a Positive Establishing a Positive Command ClimateCommand Climate

• Determine the “health” of your unit

• Identify climate areas you want to influence

• Establish clear goals & objectives for each area

• Execute plan; command climate is created from the TOP down

Actions You Can TakeActions You Can Take• Communicate a sense of vision or focus• Maintain battle focus in all training• Establish high, attainable, clearly understood

standards• Encourage competition against standards rather

than each other• Allow subordinates freedom to exercise initiative• Establish accountability at appropriate level

Actions to Take (Cont. 2)Actions to Take (Cont. 2)

• Show confidence in subordinates

• Encourage & reward prudent risk-taking

• Achieve high performance through positive motivation and rewards

• Underwrite honest mistakes

• Share decision making with subordinates

• Give clear missions with boundaries of autonomy

Actions to Take (Cont. 3)Actions to Take (Cont. 3)

• Listen to subordinates and seek ideas

• Demonstrate concern about the welfare of subordinates

• Establish and model high ethical standards

• PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

SummarySummary

• Command climate = perception by unit members

• Assessment can be done by formal or informal means

• Trust + teamwork + candid communications = positive command climate

ConclusionConclusion

You, as the You, as the commander, are the commander, are the key to a successfulkey to a successfulcommand climatecommand climate

Questions?