Types of Military Leaders

The Military is one of the largest corporations in the United States of America looking for successful leader’s every day. They offer many developmental classes, schools and academies that give you the tools to become a successful leader. Like most jobs there is a pyramid effect of leadership roles. This pyramid role is called a chain of command in the military. Each leadership role is just as important as the one appointed above them and is only as strong as its weakest link.

There are several types of leaders that dictate our military; authoritative, hands-on and hands-off. Each type of leader possesses different qualities which make the outcome of their work diverse. Authoritative leaders are born to be a leader. These are leaders who have a natural instinct on how to take control of a group and get the job done. They are the type of person you either love or hate. Authoritative leaders are very meticulous and strict on how they want to accomplish a task. It’s either their way or the highway. This can be very draining on the soldiers that work for them.

Authoritative leaders can take two separate approaches in leading their soldiers. They either let the power get to their heads and bark orders killing the moral of the soldiers they work with. The other approach of authoritative leadership is someone who delegates work by asking for help on what needs to be accomplished, making it a much more comfortable environment to work in. These separate approaches can dictate the outcome of the work being performed by their soldiers which can either make or break their leadership role.

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Hands-on leaders are one of the most effective leaders in the military. These are leaders who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and take initiative in getting the job done. They are leaders who want to lead by example and are not afraid to take the blame if something goes wrong. Hands-on leaders are very well communicator’s, open to suggestions and look for soldiers input. This allows them to expand not only their own knowledge but also the soldiers around them. They are willing to work with their soldiers on the small things in order to accomplish something larger.

This gives them a better understanding of their job and the soldiers they work with. Once a hands-on leader sets the goals and shows the soldiers what they expect, it allows them to take a step back and let their soldiers execute the tasks at hand. Hands-off or laissez-faire leaders are considered the lazy one’s of the group. They typically are the fun leaders to hang out with as a friend but lack leadership as a boss. Hands-off leaders take no guidance of the group and are very passive on work. They tend to pass off jobs and allow the soldiers to dictate how the work is going to be done.

This can either set the soldiers up for success or can completely kill the mission. Hand-off leaders are considered the chameleon of the group. They take some of the credit on a successful task or hide and push the blame onto someone else when the task fails. Hands-off leaders typically try to please everyone to avoid any conflict. This can ultimately hurt a unit by not being able to trust or rely on their leaders. There are many routes a leader can take in leading their soldiers. It is up to the soldier to decide what leader he or she wants to become.

Every day the military is looking for someone to step up and take on one of the roles of becoming a leader. The best way to decide on what leader you want to become is to look around and take notes on the qualities your leader’s posses and make a decision on how you want your peers to perceive you. Each leadership role can create a different outcome that can either take you straight to the top for success or damage your chances of becoming a great leader. It is up to you to make the decision on what path you want to take and the leader you would like to become.

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