In other words, people don't do what the commander/manager said, "Because I say so." In fact, if you've had to use your pulled rank, you've already failed. Even if the person reporting to you did what you asked. This time. Large human frameworks, from communities, through commercial organizations, rigid hierarchies such as the military, and in the end, entire countries are built on something that is not talked about enough – shared values. Basically, people want to be part of something bigger than themselves and contribute to organizations with which they share common values (even if we are sometimes forced here and there, as long as we want to belong). This freedom also brings out the good part of us, we thrive when we are free and safe – both as individuals and as a society. Another important value, which is almost obvious from which in properly managed private companies is the creation of a meritocratic society - a society in which people are appointed to positions on the basis of professional skills and abilities (taking into account the values one wants to promote in society, such as gender equality), and not according to things like political abilities, or kinship, let's say (I have already seen cases). In other words, the better you serve the organization's values and goals, connect the tasks to the company's goals and objectives, and be professional, the easier it will be for you to lead the people after you. One of the quotes attributed to Peter Drucker, one of the fathers of modern management theory, goes like this: Management is about doing things right Leadership is about doing the right things So I will conclude that in order to be a manager and a leader, do the right things right. That's all. This post is a derivative of something I posted on Face and was widely distributed in the other days, I removed politics in favor of LinkedIn, but these basic principles are always true.