Conduct CounselingConduct Counseling

ObjectivesObjectives

Given references, Non-Given references, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Commissioned Officers, and instruction in a class room instruction in a class room environment, new NCOs will learn environment, new NCOs will learn the fundamentals of counseling, the fundamentals of counseling, some approaches to counseling, and some approaches to counseling, and relate these to different situations. relate these to different situations.

ReferencesReferences

FM 22-100, FM 22-100, Military LeadershipMilitary Leadership

FM 22-101, FM 22-101, Leadership CounselingLeadership Counseling

THE MENTORTHE MENTOR 10th Ed by CSM Mark 10th Ed by CSM Mark Gerecht (Ret.)Gerecht (Ret.)

The Counseling FormThe Counseling Form

DA Form 4856 (Developmental DA Form 4856 (Developmental Counseling Form)Counseling Form)

Types of CounselingsTypes of Counselings

InitialInitial MonthlyMonthly PromotionPromotion DisciplinaryDisciplinary PLDCPLDC Family Care PlanFamily Care Plan PerformancePerformance etc…………etc…………

Approaches to CounselingApproaches to Counseling

Directive – Counselor led, most effective Directive – Counselor led, most effective in dealing with Disciplinary problems and in dealing with Disciplinary problems and has short term effects.has short term effects.

Non-Directive – Soldier-centered, takes Non-Directive – Soldier-centered, takes responsibility for solving the problem. responsibility for solving the problem. Takes longer and is more relaxedTakes longer and is more relaxed

Combined – Most commonly used, a Combined – Most commonly used, a combination of both approaches. (13)combination of both approaches. (13)

Leader ActionsLeader Actions

In developing proper attitude and behavior, In developing proper attitude and behavior, the leader should be aware of the the leader should be aware of the characteristic aspects of effective characteristic aspects of effective counseling. These Include:counseling. These Include:

FlexibilityFlexibility RespectRespect Communication Communication SupportSupport MotivationMotivation PurposePurpose(LC, 12)(LC, 12)

Sources of PowerSources of Power Legitimate PowerLegitimate Power Reward PowerReward Power Coercive PowerCoercive Power Referent PowerReferent Power Expert PowerExpert Power -Soldiers will accept guidance and follow directions -Soldiers will accept guidance and follow directions

from a leader they believe knows the correct from a leader they believe knows the correct action or solution. This confidence is important in action or solution. This confidence is important in combat when soldiers must believe their leader is combat when soldiers must believe their leader is able to get them through dangerous situations. able to get them through dangerous situations. (LC,14)(LC,14)

Forms of InfluenceForms of Influence

Mapping AlternativesMapping Alternatives RecommendingRecommending PersuadingPersuading UrgingUrging AdvisingAdvising CommandingCommanding PunishingPunishing(LC,16)(LC,16)

Before the session, don’t forget Before the session, don’t forget to….to….

Notify the soldierNotify the soldier Ensure that the soldier knows the location and Ensure that the soldier knows the location and

that the counseling does not interfere with any that the counseling does not interfere with any other requirements from senior leadershipother requirements from senior leadership

You may choose to inform the soldier of the You may choose to inform the soldier of the purpose of the counseling. It is best to inform the purpose of the counseling. It is best to inform the soldier, to put his/her mind at ease.soldier, to put his/her mind at ease.

Schedule a timeSchedule a time Inform the soldier of the timeInform the soldier of the time Choose a suitable place for counselingChoose a suitable place for counseling Select an environment free from interruptions Select an environment free from interruptions

(13,14)(13,14)

Before the session, don’t forget Before the session, don’t forget to….to….

Plan the discussionPlan the discussion - Determine the points you wish to cover- Determine the points you wish to cover - Make notes on 3x5 cards- Make notes on 3x5 cards - Do not get away from the issue, unless the - Do not get away from the issue, unless the

subject requires immediate attention, or in some subject requires immediate attention, or in some way is related to the issue at handway is related to the issue at hand

- Ensure you have appropriate documentation and - Ensure you have appropriate documentation and references availablereferences available

- Identify the problem from the leader’s - Identify the problem from the leader’s perspectiveperspective

- Try to understand the situation from the soldier’s - Try to understand the situation from the soldier’s point of view (13,14)point of view (13,14)

Considerations when CounselingConsiderations when Counseling

Conduct counselings at a time when Conduct counselings at a time when it does not interfere with other it does not interfere with other activitiesactivities

Do not tolerate any breaches of Do not tolerate any breaches of integrity, in any formintegrity, in any form

Never hold a grudge, it is Never hold a grudge, it is unprofessionalunprofessional

Never protect a soldier from Never protect a soldier from discipline (14,15)discipline (14,15)

Methods of MotivationMethods of Motivation

Letters of AppreciationLetters of Appreciation Certificates of AchievementCertificates of Achievement Unit Certification CertificatesUnit Certification Certificates Writing formal letterWriting formal letter Distribute Key leader cardsDistribute Key leader cards Recognize the FSGRecognize the FSG P.O.B.P.O.B. Recognize specific achievements (20)Recognize specific achievements (20)

Corrective TrainingCorrective Training

Remember: The punishment has to Remember: The punishment has to fit the crime!!!fit the crime!!!

DO NOT confuse corrective training DO NOT confuse corrective training with extra duty-they are NOT the with extra duty-they are NOT the samesame

Remedial training MAY be performed Remedial training MAY be performed after duty hours (47)after duty hours (47)

Remember….Remember….

Nobody is perfect, it will take time for you Nobody is perfect, it will take time for you to get your own feel as a counselorto get your own feel as a counselor

It is important for us to remain It is important for us to remain professional as NCOs to give our soldiers professional as NCOs to give our soldiers 100% 100%

Never cheat your soldiers-going easy on Never cheat your soldiers-going easy on your soldier makes no impact in the long your soldier makes no impact in the long run. This will only perhaps create an new run. This will only perhaps create an new NCO who does the same thing to his/her NCO who does the same thing to his/her soldiers.soldiers.

And lastly….And lastly….

A good counselor is always preparedA good counselor is always prepared

End of InstructionEnd of Instruction

SituationsSituations