Leadership is something that has not always come easily to me. I hate to make this a "boy scouts is a great organization" post, but that's how it will probably end up. Through the 7 years that I've been in boy scouts I've held almost all of the leadership positions. Most importantly I spent three years as the SPL. (senior Patrol Leader) While I was in this position I learned a great deal about leading other people, both young and old.
The best form of leadership (as far as I'm concerned) is to lead by example. Any leader who can get their hands dirty along side those that they are leading will inspire a great deal of respect from the group. Members see their leader sweating as hard if not harder than them to achieve the goal and that makes them feel as if their job exists for a reason. It gives the job purpose that the job would not normally have.
Those are really the simplest forms of leadership that I know anyone can master. The easiest of course is the first. The basic rule of leadership is this; Never let the followers see you sitting while they work.
If you want people to follow your directions then you have to be seen as a person willing to do the most mundane and disgusting work as often as everyone else does it. Some of these jobs will range from burning the crap out of the latrine, to simply sweeping the floor.
If someone refuses to follow an order because they don't feel comfortable with their safety, give them a simpler, safer, yet less desirable job. You don't want to stand guard over the prisoners for fear that one will escape his bonds and brain you with a large rock? Fine, Steve can come off the crap burning detail and you will change jobs with him. Steve will be thankful and will want the decision enforced and everyone else will agree with him, because when Guard Fail tries to snake out of crap burning he will look like he's not pulling his own weight.
The only time when a leader should get serious with punishments is when the actions of a member have endangered or hurt another member. At this point serious words need to be exchanged and a honest to got punishment needs to be handed out. Simple punishments would include having them do push-ups until their arms shake while everyone watches and counts. An extreme punishment would be banishment from the group. Denied the rights of hearth, water, and salt.
Anyways, that's my little ditty inspired by Chilbert and all the others who replied to his post. (Especially blue with his answer involving the lead by example bit)
Moved by: Ssgt. Gallo from Define Zombie to Weapons, Armor, and Combat Tactics 11-12-2009
Leadership requires more than just leading all the time. A true leader needs to know when to be a follower and let someone else take the lead. A good leader also knows sometimes they have to teach others how to perform a certain task if it is to be done a certain way. This has to be handled with care and understanding as well as being able to relate what you want to the other person in way that he/she can comprehend. Leading by example is great, but there are times when delegating work is better. Assertiveness is a leadership quality and definition that few really understand.
as·ser·tive
as·ser·tive [ə súrtiv]
adj
1. acting confidently: confident in stating a position or claim
Modern education encourages the assertive student.
2. strong and pronounced: forcefully strong and noticeable
an assertive flavor
-as·ser·tive·ly, , adv
-as·ser·tive·ness, , n
See aggressive.
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
You may have noticed the word aggressive, but this does not translate here into attacking those who are working with and for you for a common goal. It means you confidently display your determination and initiative in a serious but non-threatening manner. Threats have little pull as opposed to promises of reward or punishment. Rewards NEED to be given. A reward can be as simple as a pat on the back, but I suggest giving more incentive to do well by giving those led by you better rewards. Throw a party in their honor or just issue them some better supplies after the next procurement run. How about a little more ammunition or a hand carved staff? Little things mean a ton as it's the little things that keep those following you from wanting to stop following or even replace you.
Punishment should be dealt with in a fashion that sends a clear message. That said, the saying that the punishment should fit the crime goes a wee bit too far for my taste. If someone steals something and you cut their hand off, you have just sentenced them to a life without a hand. Leave there body intact with all limbs but force them to make amends to whom they stole from with time, labor, and by putting them under the command of the person they stole from. Situations like this have to be watched carefully so that the person who was the victim dose not become the abuser. Make the thief understand that you all are in it together so that they realize who they are really hurting: themselves.
"Merely having an open mind is nothing; the object of opening a mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid." G.K. Chesterton