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Do you think that everyone has the ability to be a leader, or are there people out there who are just plain unfit for leadership roles? If so what is the the biggest fault or trait that will keep someone from being a good leader?
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 12
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No.
There are certain "ingredients" required for someone to be a good leader that are only inherently there (cannot be caught/taught). If you aren't born with them, nothing you can do about. Just like there are folks that have a natural affinity for medicine, law, tradesman, etc.
Additionally, there are skills, knowledge and attributes that must be instilled/taught by supervisors/leaders/mentors and the formalized education system.
Finally, there must be experience and practical application of all the above in order for the final product - a good leader - to be created.
There are certain "ingredients" required for someone to be a good leader that are only inherently there (cannot be caught/taught). If you aren't born with them, nothing you can do about. Just like there are folks that have a natural affinity for medicine, law, tradesman, etc.
Additionally, there are skills, knowledge and attributes that must be instilled/taught by supervisors/leaders/mentors and the formalized education system.
Finally, there must be experience and practical application of all the above in order for the final product - a good leader - to be created.
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SGT (Join to see)
I think it comes down to what level of leadership we are asking for. Most people can do the basics. Here is task A get it done, hey Soldiers here is task A get it done. Hey I got task A done. And I agree most but not everyone can get there. Then there is the true leader that inspires Soldiers to go the extra mile. It can be demonstrated, lectured about just like quarterbacks get taught to read defenses, but some will always have that something special like Peyton Manning reading a defense. You can emulate him do all the steps, but your results may vary.
I'm not sure it would be such a bad thing to bring the SPC system back, and have it feed into Warrant. I've seen NCOs in my time that were brilliant at their job, but little beyond that.
I'm not sure it would be such a bad thing to bring the SPC system back, and have it feed into Warrant. I've seen NCOs in my time that were brilliant at their job, but little beyond that.
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CSM Mike Maynard
CPT Tully and SGT Wynn - point taken. But when we talk about folks who can get things done versus "great leaders" - really, we're talking about folks who can "manage" versus those that can "lead"
I believe that management can be taught/caught and that all possess the ability to manage as it's more science than art - but not all can lead as it's more art than science.
Just like with art - everyone can draw a stick figure, but only the ones that can paint a picture that evokes an emotion are considered artists - everyone can draw, not everyone can become a painter - they possess some innate ability to create, just like leaders have an innate ability that must exist for them to become a leader.
I believe that management can be taught/caught and that all possess the ability to manage as it's more science than art - but not all can lead as it's more art than science.
Just like with art - everyone can draw a stick figure, but only the ones that can paint a picture that evokes an emotion are considered artists - everyone can draw, not everyone can become a painter - they possess some innate ability to create, just like leaders have an innate ability that must exist for them to become a leader.
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CPT (Join to see)
I think CSM Mike Maynard has it right. We want to believe that everyone the Army can be a leader. That is foolish. We are the last option of our nation when politics fail . Leaders are forged. Not everyone can lead. Leadership is concept that you can grasp or regardless of your efforts you will not do well. I will tell you that I am horrible at English. I hated reading literature in college. I could read the most vivid description of a place and not imagine it. If you throw some numbers at me I will answer anything you got. I am wired for numbers and not words. I worked extremely hard to be successful at it and I achieved a good grade but other did not struggle at all. While in math I didn't struggle at all and others failed.
This is the same with leadership. It is a science. If you think just because you have rank you can lead you are delusional. It takes more than that. I like to think I am good leader but I don't measure myself. My measure of leadership can be found in those I lead.
This is the same with leadership. It is a science. If you think just because you have rank you can lead you are delusional. It takes more than that. I like to think I am good leader but I don't measure myself. My measure of leadership can be found in those I lead.
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I agrees with CSMs Maynard and Irwin. Not everyone has what it takes to be a leader, especially over the long term. Sometimes what is lacking is innate personal abilities, sometimes what is missing is the desire. In either case, if it isn't there it isn't there. This isn't to cast aspersions. Not everyone NEEDS to be a leader. Despite what certain dogmas state.
NOTE1: Anyone, with appropriate training and mentorship, can ACT in a leadership role. If they are smart and diligent, they will do a passable job. Until three minutes after it is required, or they are moved to a position where they can fall back on their authority. They are usually frustrated and miserable the entire time.
NOTE2: This is where "fake it 'til you make it" comes into play. You can go FAR by focusing on behaviors. Look around at successful leaders. Notice what they do. Do that as earnestly as possible. It works surprisingly often. Not always fun, but it's not called "going to fun." On the other hand, if you have the innate personality & ability, you will suddenly notice one day, that you are no longer faking.
NOTE3: As SFC Tierney noted, there are multiple leadership styles and multiple kinds of leaders, and multiple environments where different styles will work. One challenge for leaders is being able to read the situation and either A) adapt your leadership style to the situation or B) seek situations that are adapted to your leadership style.
NOTE1: Anyone, with appropriate training and mentorship, can ACT in a leadership role. If they are smart and diligent, they will do a passable job. Until three minutes after it is required, or they are moved to a position where they can fall back on their authority. They are usually frustrated and miserable the entire time.
NOTE2: This is where "fake it 'til you make it" comes into play. You can go FAR by focusing on behaviors. Look around at successful leaders. Notice what they do. Do that as earnestly as possible. It works surprisingly often. Not always fun, but it's not called "going to fun." On the other hand, if you have the innate personality & ability, you will suddenly notice one day, that you are no longer faking.
NOTE3: As SFC Tierney noted, there are multiple leadership styles and multiple kinds of leaders, and multiple environments where different styles will work. One challenge for leaders is being able to read the situation and either A) adapt your leadership style to the situation or B) seek situations that are adapted to your leadership style.
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SSG Rafael Rodriguez
A good military leader will always be resilient and have great character, puts the welfare of his Soldiers first and foremost, with their safety and well being in mind. A person willing to go the extra mile, one who knows how to follow orders as well as give orders. A person that has common sense, an educational background and knowledge of the MOS in which they are a leader. I know there is a lot more that a leader can have, but his Soldiers should be the first. Foremost know yourself(Know your equipment)Check yourself before checking others, "always seek to understand". Know the Army Values and remember that these Soldiers are a reflection of you.
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No. TRUE leadership is often confused with the "act" of leading. For instance, take a litter of puppies....There will only be ONE ALPHA in the group. However, you can put the entire litter through the same training and they all can be good watch dogs, explosives detection dogs, drug dogs, police K9s, etc. They will all do the same things they are taught with seemingly the same response but when it comes down to brass tacks, there is still only one ALPHA. Most people hate when I use this analogy because they don't want to accept how closely we are at a basal-level with animals.
Leadership is defined by the nature of people to want to engage with you (or if you feel the need to be around them if you're not an Alpha). We've all bore witness to those people that we just want to associate with...They aren't necessarily the loudest, the strongest, or the most intelligent; there is just something about them that draws others near. It's not to say that people can't be taught leadership traits and act them out IAW how they should but there will always be that one missing piece.
The biggest fault that will keep someone from being a leader is twofold. Not being true to themselves and recognizing their own weaknesses and being afraid to make a snap decision when needed. Without those two intrinsic abilities, no one can act the part.
Leadership is defined by the nature of people to want to engage with you (or if you feel the need to be around them if you're not an Alpha). We've all bore witness to those people that we just want to associate with...They aren't necessarily the loudest, the strongest, or the most intelligent; there is just something about them that draws others near. It's not to say that people can't be taught leadership traits and act them out IAW how they should but there will always be that one missing piece.
The biggest fault that will keep someone from being a leader is twofold. Not being true to themselves and recognizing their own weaknesses and being afraid to make a snap decision when needed. Without those two intrinsic abilities, no one can act the part.
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SSG (Join to see)
CSM,
I like the example that you used about the pack of dogs. But, what happens if the Alpha dog is removed from the group? Another dog steps up and assumes the role of Alpha. In some cases there are fights between several members of the group for that position. This shows that each animal in the pack has the potential and drive to be the Alpha. This goes the same for Soldiers.
If you have a group of Soldiers in the motor pool standing around with nothing to do or without a mission the squad leader takes charge and either finds something to do or keeps them in a central location while awaiting orders. If you take that NCO out of the equation and watch the Soldiers there is always one who steps up and takes charge. They may not always do the right thing but they take charge. It may be as obvious as the senior Specialist assuming the role or, in a few occasions as I have witnessed, a young PFC will work through the SPC advising him or her on what needs to happen next. Sometimes like in the example used above there are altercations between Soldiers to see who will assume the role of Alpha.
If you remove that Soldier from the group another will step up, and it will continue on as long as there is a group there will be one soldier who the others will follow. It is up to us as leaders to develop each and every Soldier to become our replacement, a leader.
I like the example that you used about the pack of dogs. But, what happens if the Alpha dog is removed from the group? Another dog steps up and assumes the role of Alpha. In some cases there are fights between several members of the group for that position. This shows that each animal in the pack has the potential and drive to be the Alpha. This goes the same for Soldiers.
If you have a group of Soldiers in the motor pool standing around with nothing to do or without a mission the squad leader takes charge and either finds something to do or keeps them in a central location while awaiting orders. If you take that NCO out of the equation and watch the Soldiers there is always one who steps up and takes charge. They may not always do the right thing but they take charge. It may be as obvious as the senior Specialist assuming the role or, in a few occasions as I have witnessed, a young PFC will work through the SPC advising him or her on what needs to happen next. Sometimes like in the example used above there are altercations between Soldiers to see who will assume the role of Alpha.
If you remove that Soldier from the group another will step up, and it will continue on as long as there is a group there will be one soldier who the others will follow. It is up to us as leaders to develop each and every Soldier to become our replacement, a leader.
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