Posted on Feb 6, 2016
Would you rather be feared or respected as a leader?
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Responses: 35
Interesting comparison you bought up by using two Historical Characters from Band of Brothers. Captain Sobel and Lt Winters were looked at and portrayed as being at the extreme ends of the spectrum. Sobel was an extreme disciplinarian and Winters was the epitome of leadership by example.
What the series doesn't cover is that the unit at one time was in it's forming stages. Captain Sobel's style of leadership, pushing for excellence and demanding attention to the smallest chickenshiit detail is the style that initialy produced results. Sobel's inflexibility to adapt to his unit maturing ( and perhaps his lack of tactical skills) lead to his being replaced by his XO Lt Meehan (KIA on D Day) and sent to instructor duty and Division Staff.
When you read through the History of Company every single man credited Capt Sobel in training Company E to be as good as they were. He forged the Company that did so well.
Major Dick Winters was an exceptional officer. He was a citizen soldier and gained men's respect through his common sense and willingnessness to lead them in battle.
What the series doesn't cover is that the unit at one time was in it's forming stages. Captain Sobel's style of leadership, pushing for excellence and demanding attention to the smallest chickenshiit detail is the style that initialy produced results. Sobel's inflexibility to adapt to his unit maturing ( and perhaps his lack of tactical skills) lead to his being replaced by his XO Lt Meehan (KIA on D Day) and sent to instructor duty and Division Staff.
When you read through the History of Company every single man credited Capt Sobel in training Company E to be as good as they were. He forged the Company that did so well.
Major Dick Winters was an exceptional officer. He was a citizen soldier and gained men's respect through his common sense and willingnessness to lead them in battle.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Correct 1stSgt. Sobel was the man they needed at the time, but not the man they needed later on.
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My Marines are fiercely loyal to me, and fearful of my platoon Sgt. We are both SSgts I think that a solid mix of fear/respect is great. The Marines in my platoon will break their backs for us. Personally I would rather be respected than feared, but a fear of disappointing a leader is what drives me. I don't want to let anyone down. So I think that having the respect to the point you are scared to let someone down is the ultimate sign of a good leader. Someone that you respect so much it isn't them that you fear, you fear letting them down.
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SFC (Join to see)
The fear to fail, I like that, they respect you more by working hard to achieve the mission.
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COL Mike Humphrey
The fear to FAIL or disappointing a leader, I like that too. Not the same fear of being told "your replicable" Or "That will reflect on you EER or OER. The fear of disappointing a leader means to me that they respect you.
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Do you think someone who uses fear to lead would knowingly admit they use fear to lead? Those who use fear to lead, should not lead, period
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1SG David Niles
SFC (Join to see) - I don't think a good ass chewing with notifications of what could occurred if said behavior continues is leading by fear. That's just good honesty
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SFC (Join to see)
1SG David Niles - Ass chewing's come and go. There are days I have to put foot to ass and get them motivated, that's not toxicity, that's motivation.
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PFC Carl Willmon
speaking from having spent all my time on the receiving end. from my experience those that where respected got us to get the mission done and we did it faster and much more efficiently those that used fear to lead also got the mission accomplished but generally it was done at whatever the slowest pace was that we could get away with .
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Loyalty. Fear diminishes when one is absent, but well earned loyalty endures and spreads.
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This sums it up. I have to earn your respect and you have to earn mine. Once both of us respect the other rank immaterial, we can conquer anything that stands in front of us, and as individuals and a team, we'd fear no one walking this earth.
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While I was in OCS we had to watch this movie and write papers. It was a good means to compare leadership styles. Even when you think a leadership style is bad there is something positive that can come out of it.
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You won't get far in the military as a leader without the respect of those under your charge. People who are inspired by your actions and charisma will be more inclined to follow you than belligerent tyrades and threats. If you're a tyrant, are you going to be able to count on the people you routinely berate to come to your aid if you need it?
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Always respect. Fear is easy, Respect has to be earned. With honesty, bravery, and careing for those you lead.
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