Leadership thread...

I’ve always wondered if leadership skills is acquired or just comes naturally.

Does it come with experience or is it pure talent?

I recently picked up supervisor at one of the biggest construction sites on the eastern seaboard...

I busted my ass for the promotion, competing with peers that have far more experience than I do.

Eventually the project manager, who is known to be the biggest hard ass on site, promoted me.

Since then, guys will fight like hell to get on my crew as opposed to the other option

Back to the question at hand...

Is leadership natural or learned?

The other supervisor has more knowledge and experience about the trade, craft, and job site than I do. Yet even when he has more men, his production is nowhere near my production output.

Why?

I have found that my guys will work twice as hard for me, in the hopes that they can keep working for me, than go work an easier job with him.

While he has more experience with the job, this job is the only experience he has in life.

Meanwhile...

I spent my youth in the military, then bartending for years before actually getting into construction.

4 countries, 5 states, and 1000s upon 1000s of person to person interactions.

Leadership being person person... 1 point for experience.

...

These are hardened men that work for me

Year round we all wake up at 3am to work 60hr in the blistering heat and merciless cold. And the labor isn’t always easy

While my guys are older and more experienced, there’s no resentment for my promotion.

It comes down to respect

I respect them to do their jobs accordingly, and I command their respect in return. It’s not option. Anyone that disrespects me gets to work for the other option. I won’t tolerate it, and the other supervisor is my punishment for them...

Insert cliche line of “respect is earned not given”

I’ve yet to meet anyone that was just naturally respectful.

Safe to say showing others respect was something that was taught to us. By elders, leaders, or tougher peers in our youth

2 points for experience.

My competitor gets no respect. His men, that busted their asses for me the previous day, will lay down on him in a heartbeat
He’s been cussed out and reported to Human Resources many times.
He’s disrespectful, and is treated in kind.
Construction workers really are savage animals

Overall while experience and skill can make you a good worker, it doesn’t always make you a good leader for the job.

While lack of skill in the job doesn’t stop you from being the best choice to lead your men to success.

...

The ability lead others to success, and being able to show superiors the capability to lead others, regardless of age, race, religion, or background is an invaluable weapon that must be first acquired and constantly honed and sharpened.

Trust me, the shit doesn’t come easy.

@UnmodernM
Post script I’ll add to this thread...
Problem solving skills