Remember the light bulb? If you don’t, you should read it because it’s important to this story.
There are even bigger lightbulbs to worry about.
Your boss should listen to what you tell him or her to say. Sometimes you want to push an initiative. Sometimes you want to highlight a good deed (in order to push an initiative). Sometimes you just want to BS about a topic that’s on his mind in order to garner feedback from subordinates. We, as public affairs officers, should be helping the boss set the agenda and drive the discussion. The problem is, he or she is the boss.
If the boss says, “geez, I really like those kind of lightbulbs,” your organization could go on a nationwide hunt for them. They might stop training or pull guys off of security to start looking for the lightbulbs the boss “wants.” Maybe your officers will put their lightbulb exploits on their OER support forms and 1SGs might hold formations where everyone has to bring said lightbulb.
You see the problem? The boss’s communication often requires just a light touch. Your organization is likely already moving in the right direction and the commander and command sergeant major just have to tweak it a little in one way or another. The last thing anyone wants is to derail your progress in search of the lightbulb of the day.
This being said, there are serious issues where you may want the boss to change the course of the organization. Here he or she should come out strong and demand the lightbulb cause it’s a matter of critical importance. Just reserve these times for when it counts.
Public affairs officers – counsel your leaders on communication, it’s your job.
(Photo by David Santos, DVIDS)
