In 1879, Major General John Schofield said, “The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army. It is possible to impart instruction and to give commands in such a manner and such a tone of voice to inspire in the soldier no feeling but an intense desire to obey, while the opposite manner and tone of voice cannot fail to excite strong resentment and a desire to disobey. The one mode or the other of dealing with subordinates springs from a corresponding spirit in the breast of the commander. He who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire in them regard for himself, while he who feels, and hence manifests, disrespect toward others, especially his inferiors, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself.”
As a plebe (freshman) at West Point, I had to memorize this passage, which we thought ironic since the kind of leadership we were subject to during our first year did not fit this definition. This passage rings true in 2022 as it did in 1879. I think it applies to universities as well as armies. Leadership comes from mutual respect. We don’t earn respect by treating people harshly. Throughout my career, I’ve always felt that I had failed if I had to rely on my authority to accomplish a task. Your team should always want to follow you—not because of threats but because of mutual respect.