"Command Presence." Can it be learned?

[tabs]

Originally Posted by gatotom

Yes, Command Presence can be taught.

I believe the natural part comes from your father and his father, it's a learned experience that passes thur the generations of family.

Mein Gott In Himmel....you understand...

It has to do with courage of your convictions. Being willing to state what you believe in spite of the odds. That will usually lead to being under fire at one time or another...ones mettle being tested does give a quiet confidence.

Also a question for the original poster...are you sure it is not the suit that is making the man have an aura of command presence.

Usually I don't find that military officers of high rank have that much sagacity. their thinking is usually very rigid and hierarchical. Peterus is the exception...he in affect translates amorphous warfare techniques into the western hierarchical model. It might be titled , "How to Fight Insurgencies for Dummies"

I think the really great military commanders of history thought of warfare in the most unmilitary of terms..being able to asses the strengths and weaknesses of their foes and by observing when opportunity knocked.

Robert E Lee for example knew all the commanders he faced and as such knew what their predilections were. Thus he was able to be predictive of their behavior. During the Spring campaign of 1864 Lee was able to predict and counter every move Grant made. Grant in turn knew that attrition would trump intuition. Lee had to know that as well, but was determined to make Grant pay. The day at Cold Harbor was a a day Grant always regretted.


Also take Bonaparte...one of his observations was that a general had a shelf life of 7 years before he either became rusty or sloppy..maybe that was the learning curve..after 7 years you just fall back on what you know and stop being inovative. In which time your enemies can learn your method.

[Burnin' oil]

Don't try to be something or someone you're not.

[Superman]

Dan, it looks like you are interested in this art form, and that means you will be learning. One of the most important things my momma told me is that getting good at something is as simple as liking it. If you like it, you will do it. Read about it. Watch it in practice. Practice yourself. I have walked this Earth with the certain knowledge that I will become good at the things I enjoy. Mom was correct.

I'll start you out with some ridiculously simple observations. First, as mentioned above, leaders do not lose their temper. In my world there are lots of meetings. Negotiations. Anger is a contest. The first one that loses their temper........loses.

Keep your mouth mostly shut. Study after study shows that peoples' perception of your intelligence level is inversely proportional to how much you speak. In meetings, I have noticed that the perfect posture is to lean back in your chair (if the chair leans back) and possibly move a couple of inches further from the table. Let everyone else do the talking. Once or twice during the meeting, lean forward........and ask a question. Then lean back again and shut up.

Be engaged. All the best comrades I know are busy, and hungry for more information, relationships, etc. Return ALL your phone calls. Look people in the eye. Be relaxed, but be interested.

Nod your head. Up and down as if saying "yes." When do do this while other talk, they will think you are listening. When you do this while you are talking, they will agree with you.

Do not be in a hurry. Leaders are not people who intuitively know the right course of action. Instead, they are people who know how to gather enough information and consensus to identify the right course of action. Consensus is HUGELY important, since it gets others working in parallel and bought into the outcome.

Catch people doing stuff right. Praise works. Criticism does not.

When you catch people doing stuff right, and if you do this consistently, those people will think you have good judgement. Let me say that another way: When you tell people they are valuable and that their decisions are good and their methods are good......they will think you have good judgement. Ability to discern. works like a charm.

So does saying someone's name. Everyone's favorite word is their name.

Show up early. Seriously. Be the first one in the office each day. This intimidates the hell out of your co-workers. In a good way.

[gatotom]

widgeon13, no, I did not attend any academy, my youngest son did graduate from USNA this yr.

I can remember my son calling home in his second yr there, he wanted out, he couldn't stand the petty BS of his fellow classmates who actually came from top racked military officers or congressman.

I reminded him that to make the best sword, the metal must first be pounded very hard, when you struggle, character is built, when it is tough, endurance is built and when you feel pain, empathy for others in simular circumstances is built. He stuck it out and graduated and is very happy with is decision.

One other point I have been telling my children for their entire lives is ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS, its that simple.

and one more thing, always thank people, they do have a choice.

[flatbutt]

Some are managers, some are leaders....there is a huge difference.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Don't try to be something or someone you're not.

Ditto...the collorary as Clint said it, "A mans got to know his limitations."

[tabs]

[QUOTE=gatotom;5588233



I reminded him that to make the best sword, the metal must first be pounded very hard, when you struggle, character is built, when it is tough, endurance is built and when you feel pain, empathy for others in simular circumstances is built. He stuck it out and graduated and is very happy with is decision.

One other point I have been telling my children for their entire lives is ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS, its that simple.

and one more thing, always thank people, they do have a choice.[/QUOTE]

Good advice and there is truth in the words...

[Aurel]

Humm command presence...you have it, or you don't...

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Superman

Dan, it looks like you are interested in this art form, and that means you will be learning. One of the most important things my momma told me is that getting good at something is as simple as liking it. If you like it, you will do it. Read about it. Watch it in practice. Practice yourself. I have walked this Earth with the certain knowledge that I will become good at the things I enjoy. Mom was correct.

I'll start you out with some ridiculously simple observations. First, as mentioned above, leaders do not lose their temper. In my world there are lots of meetings. Negotiations. Anger is a contest. The first one that loses their temper........loses.

Keep your mouth mostly shut. Study after study shows that peoples' perception of your intelligence level is inversely proportional to how much you speak. In meetings, I have noticed that the perfect posture is to lean back in your chair (if the chair leans back) and possibly move a couple of inches further from the table. Let everyone else do the talking. Once or twice during the meeting, lean forward........and ask a question. Then lean back again and shut up.

Be engaged. All the best comrades I know are busy, and hungry for more information, relationships, etc. Return ALL your phone calls. Look people in the eye. Be relaxed, but be interested.

Nod your head. Up and down as if saying "yes." When do do this while other talk, they will think you are listening. When you do this while you are talking, they will agree with you.

Do not be in a hurry. eaders are not people who intuitively know the right course of action.instead they are people who know how to gather enough information and consensus to identify the right course of action. Consensus is HUGELY important, since it gets others working in parallel and bought into the outcome.

Catch people doing stuff right. Praise works. Criticism does not.

When you catch people doing stuff right, and if you do this consistently, those people will think you have good judgement. Let me say that another way: When you tell people they are valuable and that their decisions are good and their methods are good......they will think you have good judgement. Ability to discern. works like a charm.

So does saying someone's name. Everyone's favorite word is their name.

Show up early. Seriously. Be the first one in the office each day. This intimidates the hell out of your co-workers. In a good way.

I always knew you had some good sense...even though you are a Liberal...

You understand the principles...but it sounds like you read a manual instead of pounding out each principle in the cauldron and coming to the conclusion as an ingrained principle

where I disagree and know your off is in the "intuitive" part...the word intuition needs more definition than I am willing to give it at the moment. However that belies courage of conviction and as TABS has said the art of being influential is to do it without one knowing it is being done. To be able to shape and move the discussion in the direction of ones chosing.

Lincoln in my estimation belongs in the pantheon of world leaders, more so than any other American leader. Lincoln relied almost exclusively on that broadly interpreted word of intuition...emotion...

Just take a look at his reasoning for when he released the Emancipation Proclamation..Lincoln understood the motivations and sensibilities of men, his timing was almost impeccable. IT ALL CAME FROM THE CAULDRON that was his life..

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Aurel

Humm command presence...you have it, or you don't...

As I have said from day one...he seperates his intellect from his emotion...and as such that causes him not to do well in real time and causes him to make missteps as he doesn't have the luxury of time to analyze. In other words he hs no bottom end or gut feeling to tell him when he is on the right track.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by djmcmath

Ok, I've got a leadership question for the group.

There are some men whose mere presence commands respect. They walk into the room and people just say "That guy must be the leader, even though he hasn't said anything yet." The ones that I've met are mostly Admirals and Captains, though I'm also finding a few of these among senior businessmen now that I'm out of the Navy. I would suspect that a number of you also possess this attribute.

Is this something that can be learned, or is it just something these people were born with? Public speaking, assertiveness training, reading more books on leadership ... is there anything that can be done to train this attribute? Thoughts?


Thanks,
Dan

Dan

I'm re-reading your OP here and I have to add some additional comments since I'm not on the mobile phone.

Yes, it can be "taught" whether folks can learn it is their own issue. The book I offered gives some quick hints on stuff to do immediately to improve various situations (I wish I had known you were local, I could lend you my copy...I'm in DC every day).

The question you ask is more fundamental. You mention looking like your in command but refer to first impressions. This is where it breaks down. Many an empty suit casts a big shadow at first but loses all credibility when they a) open their mouth or b) try to deliver on something and can't follow through.

Leadership ability (or who's in charge) is not always assessed correctly at the first meeting...many a sales guy or a restaurant waiter has made that mistake.

Looking like you're in control of the situation and Being in control of the situation are two different things.....ask the guys in PARF.

[strupgolf]

When I think of a person like this, Roger Penske comes up first. He's a leader by just being in the same room. Does not say much because he's been around so long in that capacity. He delegates and finds good people around him.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Some are managers, some are leaders....there is a huge difference.

your right but more elaboration is needed..

[tabs]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

When I think of a person like this, Roger Penske comes up first. He's a leader by just being in the same room. Does not say much because he's been around so long in that capacity. He delegates and finds good people around him.

So your saying he did it the old fashioned way of working for it...and as such he knows it like the back of his hands and intutivily just goes to the right place and at the right time.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Dan

I'm re-reading your OP here and I have to add some additional comments since I'm not on the mobile phone.

Yes, it can be "taught" whether folks can learn it is their own issue. The book I offered gives some quick hints on stuff to do immediately to improve various situations (I wish I had known you were local, I could lend you my copy...I'm in DC every day).

The question you ask is more fundamental. You mention looking like your in command but refer to first impressions. This is where it breaks down. Many an empty suit casts a big shadow at first but loses all credibility when they a) open their mouth or b) try to deliver on something and can't follow through.

Leadership ability (or who's in charge) is not always assessed correctly at the first meeting...many a sales guy or a restaurant waiter has made that mistake.

Looking like you're in control of the situation and Being in control of the situation are two different things.....ask the guys in PARF.

Substance over image...

[tabs]

Isn't it amazing that Lincoln only spent 2 years in Congress as a Represenativein the late 1840's ..that was the only elected office he ever held before he became President. The rest of his career he was an attorney and a supporter of his political party. Linclon ran numerous times but lost ...So Obama all in all has more Legislative and governmental experience than Lincoln had...

If it comes down to experience Libcoln should have been the failure and Obama the great man.

So what is the differemce in the men that would contriibute to such different outcomes..

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by tabs

Substance over image...

That was my point. Dan asked about image, but confused it with substance. Having true substance often radiates the image. Then you have the other extreme...too much substance...ask any scientist or know it all wonk. They know it all and aren't afraid to let you know they know it all. The same guys that would get run over by the bus in their highwater pants and mismatched socks.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

Don't try to be something or someone you're not.

Took the words right out of my typing finger. I was just reading this thread for the first time, thinking about self-confidence, which is basically what we are talking about here. You need to be secure in who you are and not overly concerned with what others might think of you; whether or not they are impressed, etc...

It helps to be a little older and to have "paid your dues", at least in my experience. I have absolutely no one to impress in this world, I'm at peace w/ myself and others and I think that it is apparent most of the time. I've seen the man behind the curtain and met a lot of my heros on this earth, it's always a pleasure but I don't feel like I need to *measure up* to them or anyone else. I'm a one-off roadster, not another one like it in the world.

I've had the advantage of being around great and humble men, they inspire. There is no way that I could ever puff my chest out or hang my head like a coward after meeting Sydney Poitier or George Harrison, (or Seahawk's Admiral), I wanted to be like them. I never will be, but it's all in the striving, son...

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by tabs

Isn't it amazing that Lincoln only spent 2 years in Congress as a Represenativein the late 1840's ..that was the only elected office he ever held before he became President. The rest of his career he was an attorney and a supporter of his political party. Linclon ran numerous times but lost ...So Obama all in all has more Legislative and governmental experience than Lincoln had...

I've done a little studying on Lincoln this year (we have used his experience as a backdrop to a leadership class at my work). I think in those days you certainly had a lot more time to reflect on things aside from being in the 24 hour news/twitter/youtube/facebook environment. Without the media, other things matter. Lincoln was a ugly dude with a supposedly high pitched reedy voice. You couldn't elect a guy like that today no matter the qualifications.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

That was my point. Dan asked about image, but confused it with substance. Having true substance often radiates the image. Then you have the other extreme...too much substance...ask any scientist or know it all wonk. They know it all and aren't afraid to let you know they know it all. The same guys that would get run over by the bus in their highwater pants and mismatched socks.

Ok...don't confuse intellect with all that there is to substance..substance is the blend of intellect with emotion..