Command: The Most Important Performance Factor You Can't Describe...

Command (k-mnd)

What is command?  The dictionary defines command as "To exercise dominating, authoritative influence over". The definition is easy, but identifying what contributes to whether you think someone has command is much more complex.

Command is what makes you believe someone is in control, is great at what they do and has the ability to influence people, environments and events around them.  It's like style, you know it when you see it.

Command is the secret sauce that gives you confidence that someone is going to get it done.  Period.

Lots of stuff goes into whether you think someone has command in a professional situation.  How they speak, how they look, whether they really know their stuff, the ability to relate to others from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, etc.  The list of things that go into having command is endless.

It's art.  You know it when you see it. And when you don't feel it.

Command is the most important performance factor that impacts every position in your company.  Good luck with that, because it's hopelessly subjective.

Comments

[Clayconner]

Great post and very true. I know a few people like that and they'll have you eating out of their hand so fast it would make your head spin.

The pic couldn't be more perfect.

[Jim D'Amico]

Sorry I think my comment didn't got through, maybe this time I can be more succinct.
Interesting post, but are you maybe putting too much emphasis on charisma as a competency of command?
As a former NCO, I learned a lot about command, and how to measure it.
Here's how the Army defines command: Command is the art of assigning missions, prioritizing resources, guiding and
directing subordinates, and focusing the entire division’s energy to accomplish
clear objectives.
"Command" is almost always couple with the term "Contol", ie: command and control. Here's the Army's definition of Control: Control is the science of defining limits, computing requirements, allocating
resources, prescribing requirements for reports, monitoring performance,
identifying and correcting deviations from guidance, and directing subordinate
actions to accomplish the commander’s intent.
There are ways to measure the effectiveness of these skills for individual leaders. It's often not easy, but it's worth the effort. I know that many of my cohorts in HR have never done any analysis nor taken any best practices from the military, but I do recommend TD-0393 in regards to measuring command and control as a great starting place. It's not difficult to repurpose it for civilian industry. If you'd like a copy let me know. I'm a metrics geek, so I have an electronic copy handy at all times.

[Cover letter format]

I agree with your opinion Kris. In my view, command comes with constant learning and experience.