Posted on Feb 6, 2016
Would you rather be feared or respected as a leader?
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Leadership
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Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 35
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First choice is always respect, when that fails, whatever works to accomplish the mission.
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So it would depend on the context of the term 'fear' - leadership built on the lash and gallows went the way of the sailing ship and musket - it's not effective with educated soldier, sailors and Marines. (we can include airmen too - guess )
Now if a leader is respected and his people want to live up to his standards, and they are afraid to disappoint him - now that sort of 'fear' isn't necessarily a bad thing. Or if a leader is the kind of person that holds himself and others to a standard (note he has to hold himself accountable) and you know if you don't do your best - if you are a slacker, you fear he will call you on it....that is a good fear.
Now if a leader is respected and his people want to live up to his standards, and they are afraid to disappoint him - now that sort of 'fear' isn't necessarily a bad thing. Or if a leader is the kind of person that holds himself and others to a standard (note he has to hold himself accountable) and you know if you don't do your best - if you are a slacker, you fear he will call you on it....that is a good fear.
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Respect always gains loyalty which leads to being followed. I will take respected followers over scared ones any time!
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Is that even a Question? Respect and Loyalty is what it is all about. Fear is how Bullies Rule. When push comes to shove and that subordinate has had enough of a bully leader there is nothing to stop him from "Fraggin" said superior. Now if he is Loyal and Respects that leader they can count on each other no matter what!
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SFC (Join to see) Situation: SMs are standing in a casual formation w/ many NCOs, a task has been announced by senior leadership w/o appointing a leader. He who steps forward, accepts and assumes responsibility becomes the 'respected' leader. There is nothing like acceptance of responsibility to generate respect!
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Why choose? I'd want to instill loyalty in my subordinates, but have the capability of also instilling fear if or when it becomes necessary. Luckily, I've never felt the need to make someone fear me, and I've never felt my guys were disloyal.
Suspended Profile
MCPO Roger Collins I try to be as non-threatening as possible around my subordinates, because I'm a pretty big guy (almost 6'3" and currently about 250 lbs) with a very deep voice. I'd never want to physically intimidate them in any way. If I had to instill fear, it would be something like threatening someone who really screwed up with an NJP, which I've been lucky enough not to have to do so far. I've also been lucky enough to fly with great people and have excellent maintainers and engineers working on my plane, so I've never experienced any perceived disloyalty. If I could only choose one, I'd definitely choose loyalty. I'd want guys to want to do their best for me, and thus do their best for themselves, and always look out for each other. But it never hurts to have another card in your hip pocket, just in case it needs to be played.
Suspended Profile
I suppose an easier explanation would be that I would want to always be respected and instill loyalty in my subordinates, but have the ability to instill fear, whether or not I ever actually did so. I certainly don't intend to, but I can imagine a scenario or two in which it might be necessary.
MCPO Roger Collins
Naval Aviators think on a level more like submariners'. My career was always enhanced when my boss had wings.
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That's a truly fine compliment MCPO Roger Collins. I'll take that one to the bank.
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The ideal would be to be respected. But, the main thing is to get those in your charge to do the mission. If that required instilling fear I would do that too. In 44 years of military and civilian work I only had to resort to that a couple of times.
I think the face that I was respected made the instillation of fear a lot easier.
I will never forget look on the face the young man who was waiting to get an admin discharge, when I put him to attention and told him if repeated his disrespect to the 1st Sgt i would personally see that he went to Leavenworth instead of being discharged. He remaining time he was pretty much a well behaved young man.
I think the face that I was respected made the instillation of fear a lot easier.
I will never forget look on the face the young man who was waiting to get an admin discharge, when I put him to attention and told him if repeated his disrespect to the 1st Sgt i would personally see that he went to Leavenworth instead of being discharged. He remaining time he was pretty much a well behaved young man.
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I would rather be respected. It goes ALOT further than being feared! People do not trust you if they do not respect you.
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