How to be a leader of men

jgraham704 · 2016-10-02T04:13:05+00:00

Leadership is a funny thing. I believe you only get better at leading by actually being in situation requiring you to lead, and making mistakes, then learning from them. You'll make mistakes, it's inevitable. You can learn faster though with some external help.

I've been a leader in some capacity ever since I was 18 when I joined the military. I've led teams as small as 1 to a large group of people at a time. Some times people decades older then myself. I've also lead different teams in sports, have lead different non-profits that included over a hundred people actively working on it.

There are a couple books, and small tips to make you a better leader. But we can talk about leadership all day, but these are my top things I think will make a difference.

Leading is persuasion. You're trying to get people to either follow your lead or respect your decisions. Be a better persuader. Buy the following books: How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life By Scott Adams Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Respect and make a chain of command. As you begin to dabble in leadership, you're going to get bigger assignments. This is when it's impossible for you to be hands on with everything in your organization. This is where you need to bring someone along side of you so you can delegate certain responsibilities. Doesn't mean you have to be unavailable, but it means you're not taking too much of the burden.
You're not friends. Depends on the situation you're leading, but if you're the boss of someone (usually in a work relationship), then that's it -- you're the boss. Don't try and be friends, don't try to be pals. They will lose respect for you, and you will have a bad time.
Know your leadership style. Are you a hard-charger? Motivator? Better as a more reserved leader? Know what type you are and try not to be someone you're not.
My first and biggest mistake that I quickly learned, was not taking my guy's needs or cares as seriously as I should. Show that you care for their concerns, and you will quickly have their respect.

As a side note, maybe dabble in some Machiavellian characteristics, especially when your leadership is being pushed against by outside forces. This may help you get the better of someone.

Leadership is painful, often a thankless job. You'll be rejected more as a leader then any where else, but you'll also be better from it. It's a challenge worth taking under. I wish you luck.

Nyquil-Junkie · 2016-10-02T04:29:35+00:00

Enlist in the military.

Officer_Dick_Johnson · 2016-10-02T04:55:13+00:00

This gives a good idea (on emotional level at least):

The Rarest Commodity Is Leadership Without Ego

Rorta · 2016-10-02T11:46:21+00:00

As a leader in my field, one of the things I am most focused on is teaching other people to be leaders. Of the people I lead I pay special attention to the ones with promise, take them under my wing and develop them. Others will see this and look towards you as well.

Title	How to be a leader of men
Author	ungoogleablyawesome
Upvotes	2
Comments	9
Date	October 2, 2016 3:42 AM UTC (9 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/55gpi2/how_to_be_a_leader_of_men/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/how-to-be-a-leader-of-men.112180 https://theredarchive.com/post/112180

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