Lessons in Leasdership.

Bubblehead has a great photo of some senior leaders briefing the crew...



The one above is the COMNAVSUBFOR Force Master Chief aboard USS Springfield (SSN 761)



He also posted about the CNO and MCPON on the mess decks of USS Pasadena (SSN 752).

I enjoy these too. The thing that interests me is the physical barrier they've put up between themselves and their audience. They're not "talking with the crew" these guys are standing behind their desks. Why do they need the protective barrier or big ol desk? Is it because they are defending a policy they really don't agree with? Is it because of some heightened sense of importance and ego? Are they just more comfortable that way?

Back to MCPONs and such... I remember a visit to the command by MCPON Hagan. The only thing I remember about it was that he never let a single Sailor complete a question from start to finish...My impression... you see the MCPON, has heard ALL the questions Sailors might have, and therefore has ALL the answers before they get the question out. It was quite disappointing to see that in our top Chief. Several years in the Fleet Reserve now, I hope this generation is better.

As far a why the CNO is figuratively poking a finger in the chest of some fleet Sailor... I would love to know what was going on there.