Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

george — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 16:31:56 -0000

i have learnt new things about true leadership and re-enforced what i already new. thank you so much!

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Robert — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:04:40 -0000

Outstanding article! Freaking awesome! I learned a lot. Thank you so much for this. A job well done!

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

madhu — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 14:15:07 -0000

simple article with clear messages on leadership. and trust the army to know what they are talking about. they defend the honour of every nation.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Charles Vinici Mensah — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:19:40 -0000

The above post about true leaders helps alot. Thanxs

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Military Man — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:46:54 -0000

@Scoutmaster Skeptic: I know this is an old post, but I need to respond to your comment.

The military does not train leaders; it develops them. It takes significant personal effort to become a true leader. A commander can have men following his orders, yet not following him. Thus, he is not a leader. But this is a rarity.

It sounds like you did not serve, so please don't talk about time in the brig "or worse", whatever that means. Insubordination is only an issue with dirt-bag troops; most disgruntled folks do what they're told because IT'S THEIR JOB. Just like you wouldn't tell your boss to shove it if you didn't want to file that TPS report.

Regarding the UCMJ and the Bill of Rights, there are some limitations, but by no means are our rights denied. We made a choice to serve our country as citizen-soldiers. We are not mindless drones. We made an oath to protect and defend the constitution. So enjoy your right to spew nonsensical garbage regarding how the military operates.

You're welcome.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Scoutmaster skeptic — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:50:04 -0000

The military is good at training leaders -- for the military.

I have known military men who have successfully made the transition to civilian life, They are huge success in many cases. I also know others who have not. The latter are too often inflexible, self-righteous prigs that normal people don't want to deal with.

I look especially askance at men who talk about how they "led" others, but never consider for a moment that insubordination would have meant time in the brig, or worse.

Seriously, the military does a lot of good for a lot of people, but it is a culture that is apart from democratic society, one that relies on the Military Code of Justice and literally denies its members access to the Bill of Rights.. We need to see it for its great strengths and -- at times -- frightening flaws. A democratic society strongly supports its warriors, but can never /fully/ embrace its armed forces for anything beyond their assigned task, which is to serve, defend, and remain subordinate to civilian authority.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Steve — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:08:36 -0000

Great stuff on sharing rewards, while shouldering blame. For more on true leaders http://www.bbrisco.com/2009...

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Dave Nelson — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:14:03 -0000

This is a great post. I really wanted to read the book the post references and I think I've tracked it down. The book is "The Armed Forces Officer." You can find PDF copies of the latest version without too much trouble via Google. I found the 1950 version in downloadable formats at: http://manybooks.net/titles...

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

AMManess — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:11:18 -0000

I have been thinking a lot about leadership lately. I wonder why? I guess it is part of the debate that may be intrinsically debated, but it should be fully examined. As I look at our future presidents, I see that it is leadership is missing from America today. The candidates speak of leadership, but there is something missing in their actions or words that truly shows leadership potential.

The president, in my humble opinion, must be the first to reassure the people of America in hard times. This does not mean, oh, we are working on the issues. We are working to get them resolved. I have a policy to help us out. Great. That is what you are supposed to do. Also, it shouldn't be about political bickering that one side is not helping America. I am reminded of FDR's speech during the Great Depression. He didn't blame other people for the mess, or that one political party or president wrecked the economy. What did he do. First, he addressed the people as a leader. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Then he stated, later when talking about what will be done, "Through this program of action we address ourselves to putting our own national house in order and making income balance outgo." Key, everyone working to out the national house in order. I haven't heard that at all.

Another leader comes to mind when people want the government or someone else to come save them. That person is JFK, when he said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." People need to participate and lead to better themselves and this country. We are all leaders if we are to believe as another great leader, Lincoln, said we are a "government of the people, by the people, for the people...." This could mean looking at whether we, as leaders in our household, should get into a mortgage we don't understand and importantly can't afford. As a leader of our community to work towards bettering it by taking part in the local government or civic activities.

Finally, I guess key to all of this is the sense of duty. Leadership starts with duty. The "leaders" of this country have said that they are working to get the economy working basically so we can get rich or have money to buy things. What happened to duty. Save the economy or just do your jobs because it is your duty. As Robert E. Lee said, "Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less."

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Alex M. Thompson — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:51:56 -0000

It's a tragedy that every President in my lifetime has let their subordinates take the blame for their fuck-ups.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Mike W. — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:20:35 -0000

A great poem about leadership and being a man and gentelmen is "If" by Rudyard Kipling. Here's a great reading of it from youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Kevin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:15 -0000

I strongly take issue with item 1. Your approach to your subordinates depends on the situation, it's all about rhetoric - know your audience and their expectations.

Leadership is less about demeanor and more about managing expectations. I would replace Quiet Resolution with Managing Expectations.

This trait extends to all areas of leadership from handling individuals, and groups to handling the self.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Heather Hoven — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:47:41 -0000

Perfect. Now I can see how to perform with office politics. Thanks.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Richard Williams — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:16:46 -0000

An excellent piece of advice, for sure. On point #5, see:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/...

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

FingerSoup — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:04:00 -0000

Of course, there is one item that has not been brought up, that is a true pinnacle of being a leader. LEAD BY EXAMPLE. If you do not set an example for your subordinates to follow, your subordinates will end up either not meeting expectations because their efforts will not pass muster, or will balk at your hypocrisy. Nothing will de-motivate your subordinates more than an attitude of "Do as I say, Not as I do".

Leading by example requires you to set examples both consciously, and instinctively. Using safety equipment is a good example to set. If your job requires a hard hat, and the boss doesn't wear one on site, the boss is sending out a message that wearing one isn't that important. For something this important, the boss should be proactive in bringing their hard hat to the site, and wearing it whenever appropriate, even if they spend most of the time in an office where one isn't required.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Phil A — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:59:20 -0000

I live in a Navy town, and this accurately describes the leadership of men that I have come to respect and admire.

Soon I will be joining the Navy and with some backbreaking hopefully a SEAL. This was an extremely positive article... thank you.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

allen — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:35:10 -0000

you learn more from bad leadership and their mistakes than good, usually. you learn what type of person/leader not to be.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Kevin (ReturnToManliness) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:28:28 -0000

I am starting a series of leadership posts over at Return To Manliness shortly. I will be using Bill Russell's autobiography as the guide tool and it, of course, encompasses these five with 6 others.

I think many of us know these traits and understand them, but so very few are willing to do them. I wonder why this is case?

There are many potential explanations for this, but in our want it now, get it now society, people don't have the patience to live by these standards.

For instance, people in our society are now brought up with the notion that the "squeaky wheel gets the grease". Worse, it is true for those looking for immediate resolution.

Interesting topic...

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Mike Perry — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:07:50 -0000

It'd be great to know the name of that 1950 pamphlet and perhaps have someone post it online if, as with most government publications, it isn't covered by copyright.

--Michael W. Perry, editor of Chesterton on War and Peace

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Hayden Tompkins — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:58:36 -0000

#4 is so important. I am glad you added it!

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

tsims — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:38:48 -0000

Excellent post. Leadership is a very important skill that is often left out for young people of today's world. Our society focuses much more on looking good on the outside than it does on strengthening the inside. I think a little leadership training should be a part of everyone's upbringing.

I also agree with Derek about serving. Serving your fellow man is a quality that every good leader should exemplify.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

cory huff — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:33:37 -0000

Brett, I'm constantly amazed at your posts. You must spend a tremendous amount of time on research.

Leadership is a passion of mine, and I'll be going back over this later today.

Unfortunately, I have a boss who thinks leadership is yelling and screaming. He makes an idiot of himself daily, but he's still "in charge." Maybe you could do a follow up post on how to help your own leaders better themselves?

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Jack — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:18:47 -0000

One very important leadership trait I learned in the Army (from the example of one very poor Sergeant Major): if you constantly have to remind your underlings you're in charge--you're not.

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

Derek — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:16:24 -0000

Awesome!
One addition: Service
A leader serves the people.
Thanks for a good read!

Re: 5 Traits of True Leaders | The Art of Manliness

schaefer — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:22:40 -0000

Outstanding post! The military has always been at the forefront of leadership training and although this is vintage, it shows why military members understand how to develop the men and women around them.

"True leaders will take responsibility for all consequences of their decisions, even the bad ones. Even when the results were the fault of a subordinate, a true leader will still take all the blame."

It's amazing how rare it is to see the above played out in most of today's organizations. Just look at the Enron hearings as the prime example - leaders constantly blaming those underneath them and pleading ignorance. What a bunch of cowards!

Thanks for bringing forth some leadership gems in a leaderless age.