A500.2.3RB_ValenteMarco
Tell Your Story
While serving as a military police officer in the profession
of arms, the standards of “Clearness” and “Accuracy” were central to my goals
of becoming a reliable and consistent communicator as a leader responsible for
others and to be an effective “problem solver” while serving in a law
enforcement capacity.
In other words, as a young officer entering the profession
of arms, being able to master military terms, knowledge, and communication was
essential to success and progression. Some of the methods to exercise and
reinforce these skills were class presentations, Staff rides (education battle
reenactment), briefings, operation orders and rotational leadership positions. In
an environment where time is always against you and where “words” mean certain
things, stock is always placed in communication being clear and concise. Thus,
one had to choose their words carefully because an incorrect word or an ill
stated point usually produced more questions and failed to inspire confidence
for the intended audience. The same standard of “clearness” and “Accuracy” was
stressed during law enforcement training. Law enforcement officials
traditionally find themselves in an emotionally charged situation and they must
possess the tools to deescalate or explain complex actions to an irrational
individual. Moreover, while executing ones duties in a law enforcement
capacity, everything said is a matter of record and is admissible in court. It
would behoove leaders at all levels and professions to consider “clearness” and
“accuracy” to play a significant role in their given purpose and strive to
continuously improve their skills in order to achieve their desired end-state.
For example, while attending a military career level school,
I was responsible for producing an operations order for an exercise and in my
mission statement I used the term “attack” verses “attack by fire.” By its
nature, “attacking” an objective brings an offensive mindset and resources that
require Soldiers to be on the ground, oppose to the former that is also
offensive action but at a distance and not having Soldiers occupying the
enemies position. Fortunately for me, I had a trusted counterpart review my
work and the issue was caught before it went any further. This was a valuable
lesson to learn in a controlled educational/training environment that I still
use to this day.
It’s like when we see a politician or CEO gives a speech and
during this speech they make a comment that lost its contexts or did not come
out exactly as they intended. Response to these statements tend to end up as gaffs
and could cause doubt for a politician’s constituents or drop a company’s stock
price because their lack of “clearness” and/or “accuracy.”
Now retired from the military, the need to
continue such a high standard of “clearness” and “accuracy” remains necessary.
As I pursue my goal of earning a master degree in leadership, I expect my
skills to be further tested and expanded. Specifically to integrate in the
corporate world where my talents can be leveraged and produce results and an environment
of learning and professionalism.
