Posted on Jan 2, 2016
LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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After watching A Bronx Tale last night and seeing the scene is it better to be feared or loved I wanted to pose the same question here. We all have different leadership styles and some may have a different answer to this question.
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CPT Military Police
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LTC (Join to see)
It's better to be trusted and respected. A leader needs to be open to being wrong, gaining knowledge through being open, and be willing to admit it. People follow those they trust and they work harder for those they respect. Respect like trust is earned. It's earned through actions and not words. Having a strong work ethic, getting results, getting in the trenches. People are motivated and inspired by leaders who are action-oriented, self-directed thinkers, do-ers, and learners.
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Charles (Boo) Gray
Charles (Boo) Gray
9 y
That is the only true answer that can be given.
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SSG(P) Casualty Operations Ncoic
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>1 y
Great answer, and one I try to maintain.
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SFC G2 Intelligence Analysis Ncoic
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Heartbreak Ridge
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LTJG Communications Officer
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I think you need to find a balance that works. Take care of those who work for you and they will take care of you (most of the time at least). Dont think leading by fear is required, but I do think it needs to be understood that you mean what you say and accept nothing less than the best.
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CPT Jack Durish
CPT Jack Durish
9 y
You beat me to it: Different strokes for different leaders
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Capt Seid Waddell
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Edited 9 y ago
Wanting to be feared or to be loved are just different forms of leadership failure, IMHO. It is better to be trusted and respected by your men; for them to have confidence that you have their backs and that you know what you are doing and that you will not ask them to go into harm's way needlessly.

"Now I think, speaking roughly, by leadership we mean the art of getting someone else to do something that you want done because he wants to do it, not because your position of power can compel him to do it, or your position of authority." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
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