Background: NCOs play an important role in the professional development of junior enlisted Soldiers by training, educating, and counseling Soldiers to improve performance of present and future duties in accordance with the Army Ethic. To support NCOs in this task, the Counseling Enhancement Tool (piloted as the Soldier and Leader Development Tool) was designed to assist NCOs in having quality conversations with Soldiers that promote the professional development of junior NCOs during the performance counseling process. The CET provides guidance for interactive, collaborative, two-way conversations about Soldier development for the purpose of improving performance.
 
The CET is based on motivational interviewing, which is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication designed to strengthen personal motivation for, and commitment to goals by eliciting and exploring the person’s own reasons for change. The Talk Like a Leader (TLaL), an empirically supported communication skills training developed for Army NCOs, provides skill-based training that supports the CET. (Contact Dr. April Sanders at the Army Research Institute Fort Hood for more information on the TLaL; april.d.sanders9.civ@army.mil).
 
Aim: to develop a tool that, through note taking, would facilitate organizing one’s thoughts, events, and priorities to improve the effectiveness of written and verbal communication
 
Purpose: The CET was designed to aid leaders in fostering an open dialogue between themselves and their subordinates regarding the developmental progress of the subordinate. The tool is not intended to make evaluative decisions, but rather maximize existing opportunities for NCOs and their Soldiers to share their observations, discuss expectations, and develop collaborative plans to increase goal attainment.
 
General overview: The CET provides seven topic areas, gleaned from doctrine and research, relevant to all junior enlisted Soldiers. These topics should be considered a minimum for developmental counseling, rather than an exhaustive list of potential topics. There may be other areas that you and your Soldiers need to discuss regarding development and these should be added into the discussion. The CET consists of two parts: a Soldier Form and a Leader Form. The Soldier Form is designed to prepare junior enlisted Soldiers for the performance counseling by engaging in self-evaluation exercises. The Leader form provides prompts for the NCO to walk through a conversation about developmental counseling with the Soldier. Both forms include embedded instructions in the interactive PDF form and expanded instructions here. Each form also includes the same seven focus areas to be discussed: Tactical and Technical Proficiency; Communicates Effectively; Exhibits Effort; Exhibits Personal Discipline; Contributes to the Team; Exhibits Fitness, Military Bearing, and Appearance; and Manages Personal Matters.
 

Click on the links to the right to download the detailed instructions and both CET forms (Soldier and Leader forms).

 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • NCO Worldwide, www.ncoworldwide.army.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • NCO Worldwide, www.ncoworldwide.army.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • NCO Worldwide, www.ncoworldwide.army.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use NCO Worldwide, www.ncoworldwide.army.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.