How to Enforce Standards When No One Else Seems To

Subtitle: Leading with Consistency in an Inconsistent Culture

Many young NCOs feel stuck when senior leaders ignore or selectively enforce standards. Nothing tests your patience like being the only NCO willing to uphold the standards. When you feel alone, it seems like you’re risking respect, relationships, and your sanity. You believe that the standards matter, and you want to be the NCO the team needs, but how? You have the stripes; it’s time to lead.

Why No One Else Is Holding the Line

There are many reasons why other leaders are not enforcing the required standards. They may be burnt out or have fallen into complacency. This is an easy place to get to. Perhaps they were the only NCO enforcing standards, and it became too burdensome, or they didn’t see the need for high standards. Does the team have a culture of avoidance? It may be the cultural norm of the team to avoid challenging the status quo. The other NCOs may be hesitant to confront and avoid arguments.

Why It Still Matters That YOU Do

Having high standards isn’t about controlling the team; it’s about developing trust, maintaining safety, and ensuring mission readiness. Enforcing the little standards builds discipline. Some standards exist only to measure discipline levels. Your example will teach your troops more than any policy ever will. Leadership isn’t about doing what’s popular—it’s about doing what’s right, especially when it’s not easy.

How to Enforce Standards Without Being “That NCO”

Your most powerful leadership tool is your example. As an NCO, it is your responsibility to embody what is right. That means you need to wear the uniform properly, speak professionally, and strive to be the most competent NCO on the team. Be a team player; don’t make things about yourself, it’s about the team. Make corrections in private. If you can, pull people aside to address the substandard behavior. Remain calm; correct with facts, not your emotions. Maintain the moral high ground by staying professional, even when others don’t. Remember, when you are making a correction, you are trying to be helpful. Emphasize that the standards are in place to ensure the team’s success.

Lead the Culture You Want to See

Substandard behaviors that go uncorrected become the team’s culture. As an NCO, it is your responsibility to consistently enforce the attitudes and behaviors you want on your team. It only takes one person to change the culture of a team, and that person is you. Your silence on what goes on around you is an endorsement of that behavior. Don’t let inconsistency from others become an excuse for your silence. Don’t lead with silence, lead with action.