As a leader, subordinates have to respect your rank. Does it matter to you if they respect you as a person so long as orders are followed?

2019-05-10T22:57:48-04:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2019 11:43 PM

2019-05-10T23:43:44-04:00

To a degree, no. To a degree, yes. Mission success and accomplishment is paramount. But you have too look out if your subordinates complying just because you have rank or if they feel actually *lead* by you. The second it turns unprofessional without warrant then yes it matters. It comes to the adage: "I don't care how you screw the chicken, just gimme the egg." Jocko Wilink's Dichotomy of Leadership touches on this.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2019 12:22 AM

2019-05-11T00:22:58-04:00

Great question CPL Henderson. You are correct in the fact subordinates have to respect your rank. In a perfect world most leaders expect subordinates to respect you as a person, however as leaders we have to ensure mission first, Soldiers always. This means we also have to take the hard right over the easy wrong. We try our best to council, mentor, and develop our subordinates. Sometimes this means you have to be stern, fair and honest. As long as you as a leader are ensuring you are fair and impartial to your subordinates. As a military leader it essential we effectively train , council, develop, and mentor our Soldiers to be effective in our mission. It would be great if they respected us as leaders, but at the end of the day as long as they perform their duties and follow orders. I as a leader have done my job. As a professional we cannot expect our subordinates to be our friends. One day we may have to order them to do something that could lead to their death. We must remain objective so we can effectively accomplish the mission.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 11 at 2019 12:37 AM

2019-05-11T00:37:02-04:00

I never had a problem with soldiers following my instructions. Never had to say this is an order. They new it was a order. I was respected. As a GS 12 I had numerous captains worked for me. Automatic since I was their rater.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2019 9:49 AM

2019-05-11T09:49:36-04:00

If your subordinates don't respect you then they'll never follow you. They'll obey your orders and that will get about as much compliance as the workers in the movie Office Space.
When they respect you, they will follow you. They'll look to you for guidance, mentorship, and inspiration. Subordinates who don't respect you are personnel who show up and drone through work. Subordinates who do respect you will be encouraged to grow and reach their full potential. They are the ones who will take initiative to correct issues as they arise, or even as they are foreseen. You are creating future leaders.

In short, the difference between whether it matters if you have your subordinates respect or not, is the difference between good leadership and not-good leadership.

Response by COL Gary Gresh made May 12 at 2019 12:10 PM

2019-05-12T12:10:18-04:00

It SHOULD matter a lot..If you are the right kind of leader you can have both, respect for your rank and position and respect for you as a leader. Its the age old saying, you can't BSA the troops. They will know if you are sincere, always act fairly and mean what you say and hold yourself to the same standard. This that only lead by rank as piss poor leaders.