STEP 8: Supervise, Inspect, and Refine.

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Step 8! What is step 8? Well it’s the final and probably most important step in a process know as Troop Leading Procedures. all the steps in order are; 1) Receive the Mission. 2) Issue the Warning Order. 3) Make a Tentative Plan. 4) Initiate Movement. 5) Conduct Recon. 6) Complete the Plan. 7) Issue the Order. and finally 8) Supervise, Inspect, and Refine.

Unfortunately there are a lot of leaders out there that subscribe to the “I’m in charge” philosophy vs the “I’m accountable” way of thinking. As such, those leaders have a tendency to put out the information and expect it to magically happen, void of their involvement or oversight. I mean something will happen, so……

The reality is if you want to achieve the end state goal with the highest level of success, then as a leader you need to be involved. This step is so critical because let’s be honest, things are never going to go perfectly according to plan. So, let’s really break down this step a little.

Part one is supervise. Let me help you out, this doesn’t mean sitting in your office peering out the window or standing over people with your arms crossed. This means being a present leader during task execution. By being visible and present what you are really accomplishing is making yourself available. Trust me that’s a good thing! So, when things start going sideways in regards to a particular part of the plan, you can be aware, react, and mitigate. That will help little issues not become big issues.

Part two of this step is inspect. Now, while I have done formal inspections, that’s not all of what this part encompasses. That is definitely an aspect though. As a leader you will want to make sure that everyone has the appropriate equipment to accomplish their task. This is also talking about inspecting the tasks that are being completed as well. There is an old saying in the military, “You can’t expect what you don’t inspect.”. That is 100% accurate! If there is a particular standard at which a task is to be completed and as a leader you are overall accountable for it being completed to standard, then the responsibility to check that it’s being completed to standard is on you.

Finally that brings us to the last part of the grand and glorious step 8, refine! This is the part where you as a leader really get to shine. Seriously, it is your opportunity to show your team that you are an asymmetrical thinker that can lead them through any situation. By making yourself present in part one of the process and inspecting how the plan was coming together in part two, you are now equipped with all the information you need to refine the plan as needed. Like we talked about earlier, things are never going to go 100% according to the initial plan. Things are going to go wrong, the landscape of the situation will change, but the desired outcome will remain the same.

By refining the plan as the need arises it will keep the team moving forward, keep the overall mission in line with time constraints, alleviate stress from all involved, and ultimately help cement you as a leader that others want to follow!

So, next time you finish briefing your team for the day and send them out to do great things, utilize step 8 if you don’t already. I can promise you will have better results and a better rapport with your team.