July 20, 2025 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes)
Real Leadership Doesn’t Begin With Power- it Begins With Connection
Learning to Lead
The shrill blast of the alarm at 0555 during Plebe summer was unforgettable. Thirteen rings. Sixty seconds. You had to be up, dressed, and standing at rigid attention by the door—no excuses. This was how I learned discipline. But more importantly, this was how I started learning to lead.
Leadership Begins with Influence—Not Authority
My first real shot at leadership came early when an underperforming Plebe was assigned as my roommate. I tried everything—coaching him on military bearing, teaching him how to make his rack, encouraging him through our grueling routines. But he just wouldn’t commit. Eventually, he was discharged.
I learned then that leadership isn’t about forcing people to succeed—it’s about creating the conditions where they choose to succeed. It’s about influence, not control. The gap between success and failure often comes down to daily choices, not raw ability. That lesson hit deep.
The Trust Factor: Leading Your Peers
When I was named Company Commander—three stripes, 120 Midshipmen under my charge—I learned quickly that barking orders didn’t cut it. I was leading peers, not subordinates.
So I did what I later learned that great leaders do: I built trust. I knew everyone but I realized that if I stayed connected personally with them, capitalized on their strengths, appreciated what they brought to the table, and earned their respect by showing them I genuinely cared about them and less about my position, we would built a higher performing team than if I tried to use my position to force them to follow me.
Leadership is never about the stripes. It’s about the people. It’s about showing up with humility, authenticity, and a servant’s heart.
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way
A buddy reminded me recently that I used to keep a card on my desk that read: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” What I didn’t realize then is that while I was still finding my path, others saw me as someone worth following. That’s the essence of influence—you lead people because they trust you, not because they have to follow you.
Leadership Is a Choice—Every Day
The Naval Academy didn’t just teach me to lead. It shaped my heart. I learned that position means nothing if your people don’t trust you. Leadership is earned, and it’s a daily pursuit. The best leaders hold their authority lightly—with gratitude, humility, and a commitment to serve.
You want to lead? Start by getting to know your people. Invest in them. Care about them. Influence is a gift that grows with trust. And that’s when the magic happens.
Leadership Is Not About the Position—It’s About Trust
The greatest leaders don’t demand loyalty—they earn it. They don’t seek power—they seek connection. If you focus on your team, not your title, your leadership will speak for itself.
Explore Resources:
- Get your copy Learn How to Lead to Win
- Grab The Manazir Maxims + Study Guide
- Invite Me to Speak- Empower the Leaders on Your Team
P.S. Know someone who’s starting their leadership journey? Forward this to a friend. Or better yet—send them the book. Let’s raise up a generation of leaders who know how to Lead to Win.
Mike Manazir
Best Selling & Award Winning Author of Learn How to Lead to Win
- P.S. Know someone who’s starting their leadership journey?
- Forward this to a friend.
- Or better yet—send them the book.
Let’s raise up a generation of leaders who know how to lead from their heart; who know how to Lead to Win.
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