The Unit Counseling Program A company level leader must understand:

The Unit Counseling Program A company level leader must understand: The effects of the unit counseling program on the organization How to assess the program How to improve the program VGT 1

Develop a Unit Counseling Program Review the fundamentals of counseling. Discuss the company level leader’s role in developing the unit counseling program. VGT 2

Counseling Subordinate-centered communication that outlines actions necessary for subordinates to achieve individual and organizational goals. Why should counseling lead to the achievement of goals? VGT 3

Counseling Cycle Continuous Process EXIT INTERVIEW OER / NCOER PATHWAY TO SUCCESS JODSF / NCOER Checklist ARRIVE AT UNIT - Sponsorship - Reception and Integration Personal Issues Event: Non-select for school / promotion JODSF/NCOER Checklist Initial OER / NCOER Counseling (30 days) JODSF / NCOER Checklist Periodic Review of OER Support Form (Rater/ SR Rater) MIDPOINT 6 MONTHS VGT 4

Subordinate-Centered (Two-Way) Communication Subordinates assume an active role in the counseling sessions and maintain responsibility for their actions. The following skills assist leaders in subordinatecentered counseling: – Active listening – Responding – Questioning Why should the subordinate be active in the session? VGT 5

The Leader as a Counselor Leaders have a responsibility to develop their subordinates. During counseling, the leader acts primarily as a helper, not a judge. When should a leader counsel to develop subordinates? How can a leader be both an evaluator/judge and a helper/counselor? VGT 6

The Leader as a Counselor (con’t) The following qualities help the leader to assume an effective role during a counseling session: – – – – Respect for subordinates Self and cultural awareness Credibility Empathy How do these qualities assist leaders in counseling? VGT 7

The Reason for Counseling – To help subordinates develop in order to achieve organizational goals and objectives. – This overriding theme of “subordinate development” includes helping subordinates to improve (or maintain) performance, solve problems, or attain goals. – Counseling requirements are also integrated into the evaluation system. VGT 8

Event-Oriented Counseling Counseling centers around a specific event or situation and is personal in nature – Examples include: – Reception and Integration - Promotion Counseling – Corrective Training - Referrals – Separation - Crisis – Positive Performance VGT 9

Performance Counseling – Includes OER / NCOER / TAPES counseling requirements – FM 22-100 (Chapter 2, 1999 version) outlines values, attributes, skills, and actions – FM 22-100 (Appendix B, 1999 version) establishes performance indicators for the 23 leadership competencies VGT 10

Professional Growth Counseling – Includes Pathway to Success and Career Field counseling – Counseling is future oriented based on an established time line VGT 11

THE STAGES OF A COUNSELING SESSION 1. OPEN THE SESSION Identify the purpose and establish a constructive and subordinate-centered tone. 2. DISCUSS THE ISSUE Help the subordinate develop an understanding of the issues and viable goals to effectively deal with them. 3. DEVELOP A PLAN Develop an action plan with subordinate. The plan that evolves from the counseling process must be action-focused and facilitate both leader and subordinate attention toward resolving the identified developmental needs. 4. CLOSE THE SESSION Discuss the implementation, including the leader’s role in supporting the subordinate’s effort. Gain the subordinate’s commitment to the plan. Ensure plan is specific enough to drive behaviors needed to affect the developmental needs. VGT 12

Develop a Plan of Action - Actions should facilitate the attainment of goals. - Actions should be specific enough to drive behavior. - Plan may entail contacting a referral agency. Why must the plan be a “plan of action”? When should the plan include a referral? VGT 13

Close the Session - Summarize the counseling session. - Discuss implementation of the plan; check for understanding and acceptance. - Identify leader’s responsibilities. What is follow-up and why is it necessary? Describe the assessment of the plan of action. Why is it an integral part of the counseling process? VGT 14

Preparation for Counseling 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Select a suitable place Schedule the time Notify the subordinate well in advance Organize the information Outline the components of the counseling session Plan a counseling strategy Establish the right atmosphere Why should a leader prepare an outline? What is a counseling strategy? VGT 15

Cultural Awareness and Diversity – Mental attribute of a leader – Leaders should focus on the similarities and differences between individuals – Leaders need to make use of the different talents individuals with different backgrounds bring to the team VGT 16

Cultural Awareness Within the Unit Counseling Program What leader actions demonstrate genuine concern about cultural awareness within a unit? What command climate indicators give an indication of the level of cultural awareness within the unit? VGT 17

Cultural Awareness Within the Unit Counseling Program (con’t) How does an effective unit counseling program reinforce/emphasize cultural awareness between leaders and subordinates? What do you do once a situation that denigrates another person is identified? VGT 18

Cultural Awareness Within the Unit Counseling Program (con’t) What are some leader’s actions that support cultural awareness within the unit? VGT 19

The Effects of Counseling on the Organization – Develops subordinates – Strengthens the chain of command – Provides opportunity for leader growth VGT 20

A Unit Counseling Program Should: Strengthen the Chain of Command Clarify policies and procedures Reinforce standards Prevent rumors Praise success Avoid surprises Develop responsible subordinates VGT 21

Counseling and Leader Growth Through counseling, leaders: - Learn about their own effectiveness - Learn more about “leadership” - Gain an appreciation for the diversity of those they lead VGT 22

Counseling Program Assessment Model 1. Do leaders counsel subordinates? 2. Do leaders counsel in appropriate situations? 3. Do leaders counsel effectively? VGT 23

The Counseling Program Assessment Performing the assessment is not as simple as it may appear. VGT 24

Counseling Program Assessment Model 1. Do leaders counsel subordinates? VGT 25

Counseling Program Assessment Model 2. Do leaders counsel in appropriate situations? VGT 26

Counseling Program Assessment Model 3. Do leaders counsel effectively? VGT 27

Performing the Assessment – Query personnel from the unit as part of normal conversation – Review counseling records – Observe counseling sessions – Use a survey instrument VGT 28

Improving a Unit Counseling Program - Role-Modeling - Education - Leader Involvement VGT 29

Improving a Unit Counseling Program – Develop a plan to improve the program – Implement the plan – Follow-up with an assessment of the results of the plan VGT 30

The Unit Counseling Program – A company level leader’s responsibility – A dynamic system of skilled leaders helping subordinates to develop – Takes time, energy, and effort to build and sustain – An investment in leader development and the unit VGT 31

Army Mentorship – Voluntary, developmental relationship – Exists between a person of greater experience and a person of lesser experience – Characterized by mutual trust and respect VGT VGT32 31

158-E-1361 TSP\APP A Army Mentorship Tools – Mentorship agreement – Individual development action plan – 360 Degree Assessment tool VGT 33

158-E-1361 TSP\APP A Role of the Mentor – A leader who overseas and assists Personal Professional Career development Usually two ranks above mentee VGT 34

158-E-1361 TSP\APP A Supervisor’s role – – – – Identifying and supporting activities/ opportunities Provide individual feedback on mentees strengths, weaknesses and developmental needs. Balance individual’s development / training activities with other considerations, i.e. workload, budget. Provide input into the individual development action program (if mentee chooses) VGT 35

Summary: The Unit Counseling Program Effects on Unit Develops individuals Strengthens the chain of command Provides opportunity for leader growth The Assessment Model Do leaders counsel? Do leaders counsel in appropriate situations? Do leaders counsel effectively? Improving the Program Conducting the Assessment Query personnel Review records Observe counseling Focus the assessment as desired Perform routinely Role-Modeling Education Leader Involvement VGT 36