Army counseling techniques | AskTOP.net – Leader Development for Army Professionals

Army counseling techniques

Army Counseling Software - Include over 250 Army Counseling Examples

Counseling techniques are methods that leaders can use to achieve a desire impact on the soldier.  ATP 6-22.1 provides the following information.

2-35. The Army leader can select from several techniques when counseling subordinates. These techniques may cause subordinates to change behavior and improve upon their performance. Counseling techniques leaders may explore during the nondirective or combined approaches include:

Counseling Techniques

The nondirective approach to counseling is suggesting a course of action, but allowing the subordinate to take their own approach.

  • Suggesting alternatives: Discuss alternative actions that the subordinate may take. Leader and subordinate together decide which course of action is most appropriate.
  • Recommending: Recommend one course of action, but leave the decision to the subordinate.
  • Persuading: Persuade the subordinate that a given course of action is best, but leave the final decision to the subordinate. Successful persuasion depends on the leader’s credibility, the subordinate’s willingness to listen, and mutual trust.
  • Advising: Advise the subordinate that a given course of action is best. This is the strongest form of influence not involving a command.

2-36. Techniques to use during the directive approach to counseling include:

  • Corrective training. Teach and assist the subordinate in attaining and maintaining the required standard. A subordinate completes corrective training once consistently meeting standards.
  • Commanding.  Order the subordinate to take a given course of action in clear, precise words. The subordinate will face consequences for failing to execute.

Read The Mentor: Everything you need to know about leadership and counseling for more information about Counseling, Leadership, Corrective Training, and Separations in the Army.

Follow us and never miss a post!

avatar
Mark is a Retired Command Sergeant Major with 26 years of military leadership experience. He held 3 military occupational specialties (Field Artillery, Nuclear Weapons Tech, and Ammunition Ordnance). Mark is one of the leading military authors in the fields of leadership, counseling, and training.

You might be interested in…

The Mentor - A Comprehensive Guide to Army Counseling and Leadership

Disclaimer: Though all content posted on AskTOP.net is reviewed by our qualified subject matter experts, you should not make decisions based solely on the information contained in this post. Use information from multiple sources when making important professional decisions. This is not an official government website.

Leave a Comment

We will never publish or sell your email address, nor will we ever send you information you have not requested.