Let's talk about leadership

[lrd]

Originally posted by Greenhat
It is far more important to be respected than liked.

I agree completely, which leads to the question: what does it take to earn your respect? How do you define respect?

(or should that be a different thread?)

[AngelsSix]

Respect; good topic, I like it!!

It is often said that respect has to be earned. But so does trust. You ask me how these two things correlate?? I will tell you.

If you cannot trust someone, how can you believe them??
If you cannot believe them, you will not have any repsect for them (more than likely).
If you cannot follow a person without a doubt in your mind that they are doing the RIGHT THING, then you know you cannot trust that person, so knowing they are doing the WRONG THING.....how could you respect them??

Respect has to be proven. For someone to earn respect, they have to PROVE to you beyone a reasonable doubt that you can TRUST them, no matter what.

Actions speak louder than words. Someone can tell me anyting I want to hear (like saying that they would do anything for me) but I don't necessarilly TRUST them. They have to PROVE to me through their actions that I can TRUST them. This does not happen overnight, it takes time.

Once you break someone's trust, they can no longer believe in you and certainly cannot respect you.

That's my take on it..............

[Eagle5US]

TRUSTWORTHY
He tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL
He is true to his family, his leaders, friends, and nation.
HELPFUL
HE is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without expectation of pay or reward.
FRIENDLY
He is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Soldiers. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS
He is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
KIND
He understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT
He follows the rules of his family, and unit. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
CHEERFUL
He looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY
He works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE
He can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN
He keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
REVERENT
He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Now, replace the "He" pronoun with "A Scout"...this is the Boy Scout Law... I think this is a fine place for young leaders to find some initial direction, and older ones to maintain their own.

The Eagle

[Weazle23]

Originally posted by AngelsSix
Respect; good topic, I like it!!

It is often said that respect has to be earned. But so does trust. You ask me how these two things correlate?? I will tell you.

If you cannot trust someone, how can you believe them??
If you cannot believe them, you will not have any repsect for them (more than likely).
If you cannot follow a person without a doubt in your mind that they are doing the RIGHT THING, then you know you cannot trust that person, so knowing they are doing the WRONG THING.....how could you respect them??

Respect has to be proven. For someone to earn respect, they have to PROVE to you beyone a reasonable doubt that you can TRUST them, no matter what.

Actions speak louder than words. Someone can tell me anyting I want to hear (like saying that they would do anything for me) but I don't necessarilly TRUST them. They have to PROVE to me through their actions that I can TRUST them. This does not happen overnight, it takes time.

Once you break someone's trust, they can no longer believe in you and certainly cannot respect you.

That's my take on it..............

Well said. This sounds like integrity, which is earned over time. If you have integrity then trust, respect etc comes as well. Integrity comes with keeping your word. Actually doing what you say you will.

I have heard it said that if a leader takes care of his people, his people will take care of him. But if he doesn't take care of his people, his people will really "take care" of him.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Eagle:

Great post.

[AngelsSix]

Very nice, Eagle. Thank you.

A Leader must provide;

Purpose

Motivation

Direction

[AngelsSix]

Doc:

I agree, however......how do you do it?? I mean what's the best way to motivate people?? Everyone is so different. It would drive a person nuts trying to motivate 50 people that take different ways to motivate them. Can you elaborate for me?? Is there one or more proven methods for motivating a group of different people?? Or do you need to find a separate motivating factor for each individual??

How does one provide purpose??

Definition of purpose:
pur·pose ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pûrps)
n.
The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal: “And ever those, who would enjoyment gain/Must find it in the purpose they pursue” (Sarah Josepha Hale).
A result or effect that is intended or desired; an intention. See Synonyms at intention.
Determination; resolution: He was a man of purpose.
The matter at hand; the point at issue.

In other words giving someone a goal to work towards.

Would direction and purpose be the same thing??

Purpose: The reason for doing something.

Motivation: The technique(s) a leader uses intially and throughout the process to influence those they are working with to do what the leader wants them to do. They can be positive and/or negative means.

Direction: A road map to get to the final goal.

[AngelsSix]

Thanks for clarifying that for me, Doc. I never had a good leader until now. My class leader epitomizes leadership. It's nice to have folks like him around.

[Simple Simon]

Seems like a no-brainer but Lead by Example.

It doesn't even scratch the surface but it is a place to start. I adopted the attitude sleep where my guys sleep, eath when, where and what they eat, and get my hands dirty with them. It was always nice to know my leaders put their pants on the same way I did, but when it was crunch time they made good sound decisions.

When approaching a tactical plan take everyones opinion into consideration, you may not always have the best ideas.

[incommin]

There is more to being a leader than knowing the characteristis and trates listed in the leadership manual. There has to be a desire to be a leader and the stomach for doing and making difficult decisions.

Years ago, an old SGM (with the last name of Pope) told me that if you walked, talked, and looked like a soldier, people would assume you were one. But more importantly, you would become one.

In the same light, if you walk, talk, and act like a leader people will assume you are one and you will become one.

Things like: First in and last out; Taking care of soldiers before yourself; Training to standards; and Enforcing rules and regulations; will provide the image. Doing it day in and day out in a consistant manner will make you a leader.

[x SF med]

A SGM (GHH for any C/2/10 guys) once told me the key to real leadership is:
Never ask anybody to do what you have not done yourself, or are willing to learn yourself - now go scub my latrine, I'm an E-9 and know how, but get me some coffee first....

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Leadership is all about enabling your subordinates to succeed.

[72_Wilderness]

A person must also be careful once they earn the respect of those surrounding them.

I was part of a Scout Troop for the past 6 years and in my third year I noticed one thing. It didn’t matter that I was no longer leading my peers and those ‘under’ me. They still respected me, to the point that they would do what I had suggested before they would do what the official boy leader had told them to. I realized this quickly and learned to keep my mouth shut. I would quietly make suggestions to the leader and sometimes he would change the plans other times he would continue on his desired course.

Some said “I ruled with an Iron Fist.” But its not entirely true, I just demanded certain things be done a certain way and at the end of the day when I was no longer the official boy leader, a kid that severely disliked me and the way I did things (he was prone to tell me this on a monthly biases) came up to me and said, “I know I said I hated you, but I want you to be the Senior Patrol Leader. Jordan doesn’t have a clue what he is doing and you can get things done around here.” Talk about doing an about-face on a situation!

If a new leader steps in, one must step to the side and allow him to earn respect from the others or else the leadership falls apart. In Scouts we could never resort to the legal powers because we had none. Earning the respect of your peers and others was a crucial part of each leadership position.


Another proud Eagle Scout.