The greatest mistake in military organization is the thought that a great warrior makes a great leader. This assumption can make for devastating results. Therefore as a clan it is imperative to consider exactly which qualities your leader should have.
Having served in a variety of leadership positions I have found that sometimes leadership must be learned through a painful process. To assume leaders are natural is a mistake. to assume everyone has leadership potential is also a mistake. So in that choosing your leaders you should think about your people and what they need to achieve their full potential. Do they need discipline, do they need positive reinforcement or do they need example. Perhaps in the end they need all.
An effective leader should certainly be able to lead by example. An effective leader can expect nothing more from his/her people then he expects from himself/ herself. You cannot expect your troops to go forth into battle if you are not willing to go your self. You cannot expect your troops to be team players if you are not a team player. An effective leader is the one that can walk the walk and talk the talk.
An effective leader follows the simple rule of praise in public, reprimand in private. To call out your troops in front of others in a negative manner leave to hostility, regret, and a general sense amongst all your troops that you do not respect them. Negative behaviors and action should always be dealt with in the confines of a private discussion. Contrarily positive behaviors and actions should be noted and praised in front of all your troops to promote a sense of success of the individual and provide hope and aspiration for all. Failure to recognize the difference among these two fundamental leadership traits can be disastrous to the morale of the army.
Equitable treatment amongst your troops is also a critical component of leadership. An effective leader must be able to recognize the difference between fair and equal . Fair treatment does not always come to equal treatment as the abilities and needs of the individuals can vary dramatically. You cannot expect your lower talented troops to perform at the same level as your higher troops however you can recognize them equally and still be fair. That is to say you can recognize one for not giving defensive losses with the same enthusiasm and regard as a another sweeping the enemy.
Finally discipline is certainly a key component. Discipline does not always have to be seen in a negative connotation. On the contrary discipline is an essential component of any organization. It can be as simple as setting firm expectations to execution of dramatic disciplinary measures for non compliance with General Orders. As a leader you must use your troops with an even but tempered hand. Overly harsh leaders will find rebellion and lack of performance within their ranks. Overly complacent leaders will find less than desired results. Therefore an effective leader knows the thin line to walk between both to get desired results.
In conclusion understanding the traits of the successful leaders it is imperative a clan constantly assess and understands your leaders. It is also necessary to train and supervise those that you stick in leadership roles. While there are certainly some that may be considered natural born leaders this is certainly the very rare. Therefore it is always recommended you put your leaders in training with successful current leaders so that they can learn the essential abilities needed to lead.
Submitted by Estrella Starfire #907130