How to Command the Respect of Your Team
Mike Bosse 2005 |
When I was a child my father would take me ice fishing with
him and his buddies. I remember very clearly the first
time he took me out on the ice. I was so excited to be
included in his fishing trip that I couldnt sleep the
entire night prior.
So at 4:00am when my father came into the room to wake me,
he was a little surprised to find me wide eyed and full of
energy. When we got out onto the frozen lake I remember
hearing the ice creak beneath the wheels of the truck as we
slowly approached the small wooden shack that would house
us
from the elements for the remainder of the day.
I remember being concerned as the first POP! resounded
from the crystal floor below. But then, I took one look at
my father and all of my fears where dispelled. I knew that
with my father at my side I was safe from harm.
Once inside the ice cabin we lit the small heater in the
corner and my father went over some of the safety rules
with me. After the initial talk on safety, the wooden
plank which covered the 4 foot long by 2 foot wide hole in
the ice was removed. One look into the murky darkness
below and I became the poster boy for ice fishing safety.
My father went over the basics with me and then showed me
how to properly drop the line and how to watch it for a
bite from the fish. As he instructed me, I absorbed every
bit of information he shared, and followed his lessons to
the tee. I never questioned him, or desired anything else
but to make him proud of me, and have fun. Over the course
of that day I caught half a gallon of trout, and had the
time of my life.
I often think back on this story when I am in a position to
lead men. My father commanded not only my loyalty, but my
respect, my devotion, and I surrendered to his command on
blind faith.
As I reflect on the experiences in my life it becomes clear
very quickly why this is. When I joined the military I had
the opportunity to see this exact style of leadership in
action. I found that the leaders who where loved by the
unit, who commanded the respect of the men, and who
without question would be followed into a hail of on coming
bullets, where those who the men saw as father figures.
All men who command this kind of following have one thing
in common
They honestly care about the well-being of there men.
No man or women will follow you willingly unless they know
that you have there best interest in mind. You cannot
force the loyalty or respect of your team. Leaders who
care for every person on there team are, not surprisingly,
also the ones who produce the best results, because there
teams care about them, and love working with them.
I blindly followed my father because I knew that he cared
for me and would never allow misfortune to come to me if he
could help it. Because of this, I also wanted to make him
proud. The men and women you lead are the same way. They
seek approval, desire respect, and want to be lead by
someone who is more concerned about them, than about their
wallet.
Give your team respect and care about them as people, and
you will see an amazing change in the attitudes and
production of your team. True concern for your people
builds respect, loyalty and great results. You will find
that when you give to your team, they will give back to
you.
Respectfully,
Mike Bosse
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