Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
Emotional intelligence is an important leadership trait that is required in executing leadership attributes and core competencies. SSG Smith had let her emotions interfere with her abilities to deliver on her duties. She had failed to dispatch the medical team to Coranga on time since she still had issues to sort with her junior staff as well as her family. There was much going on in her personal life that made her fail to concentrate at her leadership role. She failed to communicate to the headquarters on time so that she could receive the supplies required for the mission. Smith started yelling, blaming and being passive-aggressive to her juniors. Her behavior created a stressful environment, where the workers were walking on eggshells in an attempt to prevent her continued outbursts. There were no signs of collaboration, as the juniors become too nervous to express their ideas in an attempt to save the situation.
The Road to Recovery
Removing SSG Smith from her position, roles, and responsibilities is not the right thing to do at this moment. SSG Smith is in a position to recover well and reintegrate back into her position. Not everyone who suffers from a traumatic event may feel scared by it, the human psyche has a unique ability to recover and even grow. Given some time, SSG Smith will fully recover and resume her duties as a leader. However, owing to the sensitivity of her position, it would serve well to put someone in place to help with operations as she recovers. In addition, adaptability is a key attribute that SSG Smith can apply. She should learn the ability to shape conditions and respond effectively to changing situations and threats appropriately and timely. Accepting that she has emotional issues can help her seek means of dealing with her condition and continue serving.
Time for Recovery and Reflection
Allowing SSG Smith some time to recover will make the recovery process faster because she will be relaxed outside the stress related to office duties. In addition, taking some time off outside work can help with the healing as well as reconsidering means of handling emotional stress in the future.
Work Cited
ADRP 6-22 (August 2012). Army Leadership. Retrieved from https://armypubs.us.army.mil/doctrine/index.html
