Hi, Chip:

Thanks for an entertaining and useful reflection on the real heart of leadership ... being a human being, rather than trying to adopt the mannerisms of someone beyond us mere mortals.

I have run into many leaders who felt they had to be superhuman, both visibly and emotionally, in order to lead others effectively.  Your words remind me once again that the best leaders are usually those who are most human, and who are comfortable being human in front of other humans, regardless of hierarchy or rank.

People who believe themselves to be "better" than most probably struggle to understand the value and the power of being real.

As a reserve officer, I remember watching one active duty major interact with his troops in the field.  His manner was casual, friendly, and direct.  I would guess most of the soldiers with whom he interacted had no idea of the valuable and accurate information they were sharing with him.   He learned more about unit readiness, morale, and tactical knowledge with a few "casual" conversations than he could have by reading multiple after-action reports.

He also had the respect of those soldiers, as easily gauged in how they treated him with respect and connection.

Thanks for a great post reminding us of the value of just being who we are.

John