What are the leader or manager characteristics that you appreciate the most?

COL Lee Flemming — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 06:32:25 -0500

There is a long standing debate concerning leadership vs. management. We are all sophisticated enough to realize that both styles have their place and can be effective. The purpose of this question is to understand what you may appreciate from one style or even both.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Mar 6 at 2017 6:44 AM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 06:44:43 -0500

I think it's important for the leader/manager to respect the knowledge of those under him or her and be willing to consider dissenting opinions. Granted, confidence is important in a leader but, when it reaches the point of hubris, it becomes detrimental to productivity. Nobody can possibly know all the ins and outs of an entire operation. As such, it takes a village to run something effectively. The leader/manager is simply the one taking all ideas and merging them into a bigger picture.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Mar 6 at 2017 7:27 AM

LCpl Cody Collins — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 07:27:08 -0500

I've noticed that people seem to gravitate toward's a good Leader, and also good leaders don't have to announce that they are in charge. Their reputation within the company precedes them. I've also witness, the ones that are managers, won't hesitate to let you know who's in charge. Those are the one that usually end up demoted or let go by the company.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2017 7:27 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 07:27:19 -0500

I've never particularly cared for the type of dichotomy as depicted in the graphic. Usually this structure implies that leaders are good and managers are bad. But IMO things like the "push-pull" difference is better described as differences in leadership styles or differences in management styles. Or maybe a good leader-bad leader comparison. But if you have people who work for you, you are by definition both a leader and a manager, despite your job title.

I liked an analogy I read once where being a leader was like being a golfer, and some leaders only had one club in their bag, and some had several. So the idea is that a leader/manager with just one club (ie leadership style) treated every person the same. If all you have in your back is a driver, than that's all you can do. But maybe some subordinates, rather than needing a "full swing" from a driver to bring out their best performance only need a little push in the right direction (like a tap from a putter) and once they are rolling they can take it to the hole from there. And some fall inbetween. So leaders who only have a one size fits all approach is often not getting optimal performance from subordinates.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2017 7:58 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 07:58:58 -0500

This graphic makes me think of the difference between direct leadership(pull) vs organizational leadership (push). People tend to love direct leadership it's highly visible by subordinates. The results of action from direct leadership is instant. The drawback to direct leadership is only good for small groups for small actions and, leads to micromanagement. Organizational leadership is required for large groups for multiple phased actions. The leader isn't visible to subordinates but, actions effect more subordinates. Also organizational leadership requires trust in subordinate leaders to do their job using the proper leadership style.
Direst (pull) leaders should be done from the team to company level. This is were the leader needs to be seen their actions need to show instant result. Organizational (push) leaders are from the company to the Army level. They need subordinates to accomplish their assigned tasks The leader can't accomplish these task for many reasons.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 6 at 2017 8:56 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 08:56:58 -0500

I think the graphic COL Lee Flemming used sums up the question perfectly. Sometimes as leaders we need to lead from the front where are leadership is seen while other times we push from behind in order to get the job complete.

As far as your question, the one characteristic that I think every leader should have is the characteristic of listening.

Response by CPT Joshua Dumont made Mar 6 at 2017 9:22 AM

CPT Joshua Dumont — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 09:22:15 -0500

Leadership without management is unbridled, management without leadership is uninspired. The first image shown looks like the directing style of leadership the second image is like participating. According to FM 21-100, there is a third style of leadership- delegating. This would be where the guy is running beside the moving block. The most appropriate style depends upon #METTTC, but mostly your troops. They ask about this often in Project Manager interviews.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 6 at 2017 10:25 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:25:40 -0500

I most appreciate (regardless of style):
Honesty
Candidness
Professional & technical expertise
Humility
Communications skills
Loyalty
Dedication

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 6 at 2017 10:26 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:26:15 -0500

Lao Tzu said it best- "When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally." I truly believe that a leader should push their folks to be the best they can be. Give them guidance, vision, and training and let them do their job and have accountability for those that don't. They will surprise you with the results. Discipline is key in any unit...personal and professional. People don't say they want it but they do. They will surprise you with the results. A leader has to be on their game everyday because the unit will take on the characteristics of their leadership...if you are having a bad day and it shows, so will they. unit will have a bad day. I think a good leader can and will use both a push and a pull whatever the dynamic situation requires.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 6 at 2017 10:38 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:38:07 -0500

LISTEN, consider, then ACT.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 6 at 2017 10:39 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:39:12 -0500

Accept it does not have to be your way...If the job was accomplished, done in a moral, ethical,and legal manner on time and to standard..Who cares if they did it some other way.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 6 at 2017 11:13 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:13:45 -0500

Taking care of people.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 6 at 2017 11:56 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:56:33 -0500

As a leader, I took responsibility. I protected my men from all criticism except my own. That, for me, is the hallmark of a leader. All else is a matter of style

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2017 4:10 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 16:10:37 -0500

COL Lee Flemming A leader does not push or pull. A good leader mentors and inspires others to better themselves, and in turn becomes good leaders.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 6 at 2017 11:14 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 23:14:33 -0500

Push

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 8 at 2017 10:25 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 22:25:27 -0500

There is nothing more satisfying than pushing and pulling every individual in your unit, according to their individual need, until they all know their responsibilities, how to accomplish them and how important their individual responsibility is to the unit. Then, when the unit runs like a fine watch, finding and leading them in accomplishing missions that demonstrate to the world how damn good they are.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Mar 9 at 2017 11:19 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 11:19:36 -0500

Situationally aware, Calm, Able to give clear intent.

Response by SFC William Stephens made Mar 9 at 2017 2:11 PM

SFC William Stephens — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 14:11:32 -0500

I always known them to be called SUPERVISOR because they don't MANAGER NOTHING BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO NOTHING AND SOMETIMES I WONDER HOW IN THE WORLD AM I WORKING FOR THIS PERSON? LEADER Leads from the front and in a lot of businesses you work as a team to develop ideas or products, In battle we use leaders, OK maybe my BOSS but in my job I don't have to many people looking over my should just this one lady who likes to comment on everything to try to make things better.

When I was in the ARMY at first I PUSHED to do things because we don't understand the concept but in combat we all pull to complete the mission.

Most Leaders assist with the job or explain the situation before they walk away, a weak leader never comes by.
When a bad product is produced its because the leaders did not supervise the work that had to be done and something was overlook.

Manager/Leader...........................................................................................................

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2017 1:09 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 01:09:44 -0500

Both are situational and appropriate when needed.

Remember the difference between a boss and a leader; a boss says “Go!” — a leader says “Let’s go!”

E. M. Kelly