Do you have a boss or a leader?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:54:23 -0400

Another LinkedIn article that I found to be interesting and more great comments on leadership.

Always looking for additional feedback from the RP Nation. Good stuff for those Junior Leaders to pack away in their back packs or duffle bags! What say you RP Followers?

Do you have a boss or a leader?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-evaluate-you-have-great-boss-ryan-bennion?trk=pulse-det-nav_art

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:58 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:58:43 -0400

Great article COL Mikel J. Burroughs . I have a leader, but have experience time with both. Most of the points in the article deal with servant leadership and doing the right thing when no one is looking.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 1:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:00:54 -0400

I have a O-2E that is an interesting combination of both.

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 9 at 2015 1:05 PM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:05:35 -0400

I am happy to be in a unit that is mostly leaders. We have a couple bosses but most will get dirty and work right beside you. They have helped mold me into a better leader myself.

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 9 at 2015 1:05 PM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:05:42 -0400

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 9 at 2015 1:09 PM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:09:54 -0400

Leader,

I am a Leader and a member of a team.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 9 at 2015 1:29 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:29:24 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - The military, more than any other profession I know, needs leaders, not bosses, and, there is a world of difference between the two. You can be a boss by virtue of your rank and position, but, to be a leader, you have to work at it and exhibit the traits and characteristics we all learned in the leadership courses and through personal experience.

Simply being a boss is not effective in the military.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 9 at 2015 2:34 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:34:56 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, here are some of GEN George S. Patton's thoughts on leadership. I guess he was a combination of both, but he was most certainly effective!
"Do everything you ask of those you command."
"If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
"Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way. "
"No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair."
"An Army is a team; lives, sleeps, eats, fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is a lot of crap."
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 9 at 2015 3:08 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:08:26 -0400

I know I have posted this before, but it seems appropriate to do so again in this topic...
When I was a young Infantry 2LT Platoon Leader in Heilbronn, Germany, my Platoon Sergeant, PSG Benjamin J. Burgess (yes, I remember him to this day as he was a great mentor) and I were discussing the next day's activities before leaving for the day, when he sated, "You know LT, you are going to be a great general one of these days". I, of course, was delighted to hear that from somebody I admired and respected. I asked him why he thought that, assuming he would describe all my leadership traits and characteristics, the legacy I had with a dad who was an LTG and a brother an MG, but no, to my great chagrin, he stated, "I have known or known about a lot of generals in my career, and all of them had a quirk. You have a lot of them, LT." I guess no truer words were ever spoken. I did, and still do, have a lot of quirks... Takes all kinds... :-)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 7:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 19:06:04 -0400

I have had both, and currently I have one who is both. I think it's very important to be able to function as both, as everyone isn't a good follower. Inspiring people to perform is challenging, some people really need to be a boss IOT transition to leadership, and to learn how to lead. A great leader should know both, and should be able to turn each one on or off as needed.

Response by Sgt Mike Aydelotte made Jul 14 at 2015 9:05 AM

Sgt Mike Aydelotte — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 09:05:32 -0400

I'm spoiled in this department, the leaders I had during my enlistment were top notch. I miss them dearly. As a civilian I find the leadership quality to be lacking. I love debating the differences between leading and managing. I have bosses and one leader. I think the military goes largely unappreciated in the civilian world in terms of our ability to relay and instill intent. Intent groups individuals into a common direction. Sorely overlooked in button-up shirts. Greatly stressed in Cammies.