"A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create." -- Do you agree?

CSM Michael Lynch — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:28:30 -0400

I truly believe this is the sign of a good leader. If you are the example then you will surely produce more great leaders. We made need followers at a certain time but our goal is for them all to become leaders and produce more leaders throughout the career.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made Jun 9 at 2015 10:30 AM

CPT Bob Moore — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:30:46 -0400

I agree. I was taught from very early in my career to give away knowledge and power. The best leaders create more leaders and have a plan for when they are no longer around.

I have told many people that the sign of a good leader is that their unit\department\etc. continues to operate effectively even when the leader is gone. That can't happen without other leaders being developed.

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 10:30 AM

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:30:47 -0400

One thing I heard from someone who inspires me is "if the people below you can't do a better job than you when you're gone, you were an ineffective leader." The best leaders had to be followers at one point.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 10:44 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:44:20 -0400

Absolutely agree 100% CSM Michael Lynch. We have to constantly remind ourselves that it's not about us. It's about carrying on a legacy of new leaders. New Leaders that do it better and more advanced then we did it. We really have to ensure that we are sharing this with others. I guess I didn't realize this until I got older, but I am surely in TEAM Building Mode in life now! Let's create change together and build strong leaders for our future. Our Country is depending on it!

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jun 9 at 2015 10:45 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:45:03 -0400

A great organization will continue to thrive when a good leader leaves - that's because he/she did the job of creating another good leader to fill the gap once they are gone!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 9 at 2015 10:49 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:49:11 -0400

It makes a point. I think "good" is missing at the end. Should be how many "good" leaders you create. Good leaders will train future leaders who will hopefully turn out to be good leaders themselves. They could potentially do a poor job and turn out poor leaders though they themselves are deemed good leaders.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 9 at 2015 11:33 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 11:33:31 -0400

Totally agree with this assessment. Your job as a leader is to produce future leaders that can carry on the mission when you and I have retired or are gone!

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jun 9 at 2015 11:45 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 11:45:11 -0400

An outstanding quote. I agree. I think it speaks to setting the example, trusting your subordinates, personal integrity, and demonstrating how fulfilling and rewarding it can be to lead "your guys" to greatness. When they see you enjoying it, they want to try it too.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 9 at 2015 12:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:35:47 -0400

I believe both are essential in corporations, organizations, and military units.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 12:41 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:41:48 -0400

Gee, that's one of my fav quotes! Had no idea it was attributed elsewhere. "Effective leaders are not defined by how many people follow them. They are defined by how many better leaders they create" --In "Leaders not Meeters" copyright 2005.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 12:49 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:49:14 -0400

I completely agree CSM Michael Lynch! Early in my career someone said to me that my job as a leader is to train the guys below me to take over my job. That has always stuck with me, and this is something I was told as a lowly airman many years away from ever actually leading anybody. To this day I make sure that my troops get that seed planted in their heads. It speaks volumes about a leader if you are constantly pushing your troops to do your job better than you did.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 4:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:24:53 -0400

I completely agree. I always tell my subordinates I am not here to train solders; I am here to develop leaders. I am failing them and the Army if I am not training them to be leaders. Someone will have take my place as I take the place of my senior who mentored me. It is incredibly important that all soldiers learn to lead, not just because one day they may have to step up and take charge during combat, but also because they are parents, spouses, community members, and whatever else they decide to become once they leave the military. They will be more prepared and equipped to give back to their families, neighbors, and this country if they are good leaders.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 24 at 2015 2:35 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:35:44 -0400

A BIG HUGE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 7 at 2015 7:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 19:20:08 -0400

It matters who is behind us when we hang up our boots.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Aug 10 at 2015 3:36 PM

SGT Christopher Churilla — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:36:29 -0400

Absolutely true. A good leader knows he will not be around forever, so he trains his subordinates to step up when he leaves.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 10 at 2015 6:19 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 18:19:04 -0400

Teach, mentor and counsel
Provide purpose, motivation and direction. Build a team that allows others to put emphasis on each other strengths.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 7:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 19:25:18 -0400

I always train my Soldiers and NCO's to do my job. I would much rather see them succeed. They are the ones that make me look good.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 11 at 2015 3:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:35:15 -0400

The military is a huge bureaucracy that will roll on with its own volition, might as well train those behind you.