I suggest a book "Think & Grow Rich"

[jsgoober]

All of these are very well said and are valid. The thing to
know is that not all people are not alike. A true leader
must know his followers and true followers learn
to know his leader.

It is like the head and the body--one can not truly
function without the other.

I truly believe that some of the leaders/managers are not
qualified to be in their positions, but because of their
BS/Ph.D/Education, most companies are blindly making them
in charge.

So to speak, a blind lead the unblinds.

To be a true leader, just like being a father, you
need to have both love and respect. And I can tell you that
most of the fathers/leaders can only do one or the other.

To do both, go get that book! It is CHEAP, but it could be
worth millions!

Remember, NEVER blame your followers but yourself and
NEVER take the credit EVEN if the idea was yours. Always
give the credit to your followers! And YES, take
them to lunch or doing simple activity together will
definitely improve your relationship.

"Fear will make you poor and ignorant will make you
stupid"--Jay Xiong

 

[SteveTheGeek]

I know mutual respect is essential, a leader should have authority/accountability/responsibility for the unit,but love? Nope. If you love someone you won't be able to get rid of them to ensure the continued viability/profitability of the business (or your particular part of it).

And to clarify (I think) your maxim, to anyone outside of your unit (dept, section, whatever) you succeed or fail as a unit. Inside your unit, remember: praise in public, reprimand in private.
-Steve

 

[DonQuichote]

You are right. I also learned at college that a leader might be good one for one group of people and a very bad leader for other another groups of followers. Style of leadership is something that has to fit both the leader and the followers.