Leadership...

[Wolf]

There's another post by the same name as this one from back when. The post brought up a lot of discussion and I thought it was a good thread. It hasn't been deleted, just un-stickied.

Here's the deal, this post is now set sticky. What I'd like to see here is your thoughts on Leadership. What makes a good leader? What does it take to get there? Are some people born good leaders or did they have to work at it? Can ANYONE be a leader? What are the traits of said good leader? Do you possess these traits? Do you see them in anyone specifically? What makes a BAD leader? How does leadership partain to the Company?

Bring up whatever you want in this thread, as long as it deals with leadership. Any post that starts getting into the joking realm, gets off topic or what will be deleted. I'm interested to see how our new petitioners view leadership itself and leadership in the Company. For those in Outer Circle and friends, still please post your ideas of leadership and even leadership that you see in the Company, where it lacks and where it's good.

[Draggeron Ascholie]

One must be willing to (sometimes be able to) do whatever they tell their followers to do. Fergus is one person i have seen this demonstrated in a manner of speaking. 90% of what he made me do as a petitioner he could do. the other 10%, he could name a Brother that could.

that is my first thought to get the thread started, more to follow

[debuenzo]

good leader: intelligent and respectable, strong and charismatic
I will almost never follow someone if i think they are wrong (which was my biggest holdup as a pet.)
says what needs to be done concisely and is assertive
very self-confident
likeable....no one wants to follow a douche or a jackass
can motivate others and get them excited to perform tasks

[rourke]

Aside from what many have said from the previous Leadership post and following up on what Brother Debuenzo has said...

I believe a Leader also must have confidence, and a strong recovery factor.
Confidence through their voice, actions, and how they carry themselves. To be an 'all-knowing' figure that everyone can go to and always get an answer.
By recovery factor I mean that in battle events do not always go to plan or strategy, thus a good leader must be able to improvise, motivate, and recover from setbacks to allow his brothers and Company to achieve victory.
They must have pride and strength in their brothers and their Company to get the job done on and off the battlefield.

[winblades]

I have to reflect on the question of whether or not everyone can be a leader. There's an old truth about chiefs needing indians, which seems to imply that there are leaders and there are followers. Furthermore, following on Rourke's post, not everyone can think on their feet on the battlefield, or even off the field. Does this mean that there are simply those who cannot lead?

I suppose that begs the question of what the definition of a leader is. So far everyone has said that a leader is a man among men, someone whose charisma and confidence and decisiveness set him apart and draw men to him. Someone who can inspire with word and with deed. Unquestionably, these things describe a leader. But is that all there is? Can one lead with knowledge? With a quiet competence that no one will mark on the field but makes him almost indespensable behind the lines? Can a man lead without the social fireworks and aura of likeability but with a simple 'yeah, sure, I can handle that?'

Furthermore, can such a man be a 'good' leader?

[Ulrich]

I believe a good leader is someone who can think through a decision on the spur of the moment and act on it in a timely manner

a good leader would openly admit to bad decisions and would also suggest how to fix it, a good leader wouldn't shift any blame to some one else

a good leader should have an amiable personality but would know when to stop being nice or joking around to get what needs to be done, done

in serious situations a good leader would put the well being of those hes leading in front of his own well being

a leader would also have to stand by his decisions so that those he is leading feel confident, if a leader were to keep rethinking what he tells people then they wont have confidence in him

[rourke]

off the top of my head... a leader always knows what to do whether he does or not.

[aggro]

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

Theodore Roosevelt

one of my favorite quotes

[lynx]

someone that respects the people that follow him
makes the right decision, even though it make be tough
sets a good example
stays strong under pressure
and remains level headed, rather than letting power overcome him

[Keithan]

I think Lynx stole all my good stuff, but one thing I will add is when a leader can realize he may not have the expertise for a certain situation, and hands the situation to someone who may have the answer to the problem. They of course would still monitor everything and add input, but they won't just muscle through by themselves and screw things up by trying to appear omnipotent.

[Azgarehta (Bard)]

Leadership is setting up the right people and systems that will carry on successfully long after your time.

[Aratus]

I like that az

[F]

This is posted on the Company site here in Denver, but I thought you guys might get a kick out of it. We hold annual elections for our Captain, so as to keep the ideas fresh and help the Company grow.
How often have you heard the comment, "He or she is a born leader?" There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they're looked up to as a leader.

Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. Let us explore them further.

SEVEN PERSONAL QUALITIES FOUND IN A GOOD LEADER

1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2. A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

6. A good leader, as well as keeping the main goal in focus, is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. While keeping the goal in view, a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.

7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.

These seven personal characteristics are foundational to good leadership. Some characteristics may be more naturally present in the personality of a leader. However, each of these characteristics can also be developed and strengthened. A good leader whether they naturally possess these qualities or not, will be diligent to consistently develop and strengthen them in their leadership role.

Also in regards to dealing with a group such as ours the leader you are looking for needs to be organized, and flexible. They also need to know how to delegate, and not be the person to do it. Having the ability to all the things the Company does is one thing, but knowing who to put in charge of getting the other stuff done is a very important trait.

The Company brings interesting facets and issues to the table, and the Captain needs to be able to roll with the punches, and not take someone else’s life personally. They need to celebrate the diversity, but also not let that diversity interfere with their own judgment.

I know a few people that fit that category, but like I said I am going to reserve my judgment on this matter, and let you all come up with your own choices. Look to the people in the group.
See who is always there. See who has the answers, not always the right ones, but they at least have answers. Who do you go to for guidance? Who is there to give you a hand when you need it, and seems to be a font of knowledge and self control. Who is not only striving to better themselves, but the Company as a whole? Who has the ability to make those tough decisions? Who has the ability to see the potential in everyone that shows up? Who has the ability to bring that potential out?
When you find the person that checks most of those boxes, you will have your next Captain.
Favorite Leadership Quotes #1

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.

Peter F. Drucker

Favorite Leadership Quotes #2

Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.

George S. Patton

Favorite Leadership Quotes #3

Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.

Dwight Eisenhower

Favorite Leadership Quotes #4

A leader is a dealer in hope.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Favorite Leadership Quotes #5

I must follow the people. Am I not their leader?

Benjamin Disraeli

Favorite Leadership Quotes #6

The leadership instinct you are born with is the backbone. You develop the funny bone and the wishbone that go with it.

Elaine Agather

Favorite Leadership Quotes #7

Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too.

Robert Half

Favorite Leadership Quotes #8

Only one man in a thousand is a leader of men -- the other 999 follow women.

Groucho Marx

Favorite Leadership Quotes #9

The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.

Theodore M. Hesburgh

Favorite Leadership Quotes #10

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

Theodore Roosevelt

[thayet]

A good leader isn't someone who makes you follow them but makes you want to follow them. It is someone who has shown capability, knowledge and trustworthiness to the extent that those around them don't have to hesitate, they just think yeah, I can follow him/her.

[Azgarehta (Bard)]

Fergus has a manly lumberjack beard. I think that's where he keeps his leadership.