What are the intangibles that make one an awesome leader?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 05:57:26 -0400

We all have personally known some leaders whom we think of as legendary. What specific qualities about that man or woman made them the leader they are? What exactly are the intangibles that leader exhibited? What qualities stood out?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 8:22 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 08:22:29 -0400

The great leaders that I have known and respected throughout my career are the ones that don't get pulled into the "darkside". The human aspect is the intangible for me, someone who is firmly rooted in reality and doesn't buy into the hype of being a General Officer or CSM at the nominative level, or any level. Down to earth human beings that look at you when you are talking to them and you can see in their eyes that they are hearing what you are saying.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 22 at 2015 8:47 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 08:47:11 -0400

I'm going to say they exhibit some specific leadership traits. I'll call them
Justice
Judgment
Dependability
Initiative
Decisiveness
Tact
Integrity
Enthusiasm
Bearing
Unselfishness
Courage
Knowledge
Loyalty
Endurance

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 8:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 08:49:13 -0400

Some of the best leaders I have personally worked for, and those that I wish to emulate, have shown compassion and empathy while being forthright and honest. Their directness leaves few, if any, questions to what needs to done. To the person, they possessed a charisma that would inspire the laziest Soldier to complete the task. All failures were turned into learning experiences.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 8:52 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 08:52:56 -0400

Situational Awareness and the ability to adapt on the fly to complete the mission, without sacrificing morals or Army Values.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 22 at 2015 8:59 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 08:59:29 -0400

It's an Art as opposed to a science.

But because it has "technique" it we can teach it. That doesn't mean everyone will get it though. Some people will mimic the motions or parrot the words, but it just won't click.

As Capt Richard I P. mentions, there are the Traits (big T), which are actual metrics we can measure. They're intangible, but we know they're there, and we can gauge them.

CSM Private RallyPoint Member comments on the Humanity & Empathy piece which shows you are just not talking to a wall. Something I'm sure we have all experienced, whether up or down.

One that I always found great in a leader was when he could identify that a troop was holding something back. That there was a "pregnant pause." The "What did I miss?" leader, who wasn't afraid to go "Did I skip over that because I know... and forget that you guys might not have the same knowledge I do"

Leaders need to be conscious of their audience, and more specifically of what their audience isn't saying. Sometimes what they aren't saying, "will get us all killed" because we skipped something and and the leader missed an expression of "huh, what does he mean by quasiparawhatsit?"

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 22 at 2015 10:29 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 10:29:42 -0400

Not forgetting where they came from. Being able to see the bad one and shape their career to the good side. Not being afraid to get their hands dirty and remember when you point a finger at someone, turn your hand over - there are three fingers pointing at you! Not pretending you know everything, but know how to use the strengths of your soldiers to get the mission completed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 22 at 2015 11:27 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:27:07 -0400

I will piggyback off what others have said. A good leader loves and cares about his soldiers. He knows when to loosen up and have fun with the troops, and says thank you. He is also a deep thinker.