Do people follow you out of respect or because of your position? Have you ever worked for that guy who is a total prick but he is the one in charge? If he were on fire, would you put him out or watch him burn?

We all have had bosses who clearly have zero people skills and some even lack managerial talent. Life is terrible because they are not open to any suggestions and are quick to fall back on their position of authority. In the military we say there are Chiefs and there are E-9s. A Chief Master Sergeant is the highest enlisted rank and are held in very high regard. Their paygrade is E-9, and someone who is simply an E-9 is only in it for the authority and paycheck.

Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to solve these problems. The best option is a long term one. It is to learn what type of leader you want to be and then focus on becoming that leader. What qualities do your favorite bosses have or which ones do you wish they had?

Once you determine those, discover how you can develop them yourself. Read books or mirror others and then fine tune your skills on others along the way. Eventually, these skills become innate. As time goes by you will advance up the ladder.

I have even discovered in my own life, people tend to be promoted faster when others respect them. I made my last position of authority because my peers wanted to work for me. It was humbling to hear their comments. There have been a few guys who requested me to be their direct supervisor even.

This is not my way of bragging, it is my way to share my experience. There is nothing unique or impossible about my leadership style. I simply live by the advice my father told me. Be the leader who you would follow, and you will earn the respect of others. Once you have their respect, they will follow you anywhere and will want you to succeed.

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