Finally, NCOs must provide professional development training to enhance the ability of soldiers to perform their jobs and progress in their careers. NCOs must counsel their soldiers. NCOs must provide soldiers with honest feedback on their job performance and professional development. NCOs must also guide them in their careers, professional development and sometimes become a sounding board for their personal lives. This is where the skill of listening comes into play.
Many professionals say that counseling is ninety percent listening.
Every soldier wants to know that someone is listening to his or her concerns. In order to know their soldiers and learn how to motivate them, NCOs must listen. NCOs must help soldiers set goals for their jobs. Soldiers need to know what NCOs expect them to achieve on the job. Ideally, NCOs and soldiers will formulate objective goals together.