Can I just say, and I'm just being honest...

[Expired]

I know that feel.

Stay around, fuck what everyone else thinks.

Heh, I might get banned after my previous post. If I don't, I'll probably stick around. We'll see.

Thanks, though, Bella, anyway.  You're sweet

Why would it bother you, what some random internet turds think about you is irrelevant in your life. As long as you like yourself that's all that matters.

[J a c k]

Has she seen this? Have any mods seen this?

[Catholic_Lady]

I know that feel.

Stay around, fuck what everyone else thinks.

Heh, I might get banned after my previous post. If I don't, I'll probably stick around. We'll see.

Thanks, though, Bella, anyway.  You're sweet

Stick around, hoe! 

Most of us have had our bad moments here.

[account_inactive]

Has she seen this? Have any mods seen this?

I don't even know what he is talking about...

[Alex K]

Have any mods seen this?

Yes

[Kernel Sohcahtoa]

All good points. Remember also this core principle of leadership -- loyalty, like respect, is a two-way street. You have no call on the loyalty of your subordinates if you give none of your own.

Best of luck on your new course.

Agreed, sir.  Thank you for your wisdom and intelligence, Thumpalumpacus.  IMO, AF is very lucky to have you as a member.

CIJS, In addition to the importance of loyalty, I also forgot to mention how important it is for leaders to care about their people.  IMO, people will ultimately tune their leaders out if they think that their leaders don't care about them: they will put on a show when their leaders are present and do as they please when their leaders are absent.  However, when people honestly think that their leaders care about them, it ultimately makes them glow and feel special: they will actually want to learn from their leader and view him or her as a valuable source of knowledge and coaching.  More importantly, in the absence of their leader, people will ultimately exhibit leadership traits and initiative, because they want to grow, and they don't want to let themselves or their leaders down.  IMO, this is a remarkably beautiful artistic achievement; it is a leader's masterpiece.  I'm not sure that I will ever be able to achieve it, but I'm certainly willing to give it a shot. 

P.S. To my fellow AF members: Thanks for the words of encouragement.  Live long and prosper.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Yep. True concern is very much a part of earning loyalty, too.

When I deployed to Saudi after the war for my five-month stint, the Asst Chief gathered us station captains in his office, and the first words out of his mouth were, "ladies (yes, he called us ladies, leaven the message with humor), in this outfit you'll be the first to fight fire and the last to eat."

The message: lead by example, and take care of your troops first. As a rookie station captain, the seed landed on fertile soil.

You'll do fine, bud -- you got this.

[Jesster]

CIJS I'm really worried about one of my old college friends. I think she may be facing domestic abuse at home, but I don't know the details at all. I'm not sure what to do about it other than let her know she can always find shelter at my place. I really hope this isn't as bad as it looks from my distant view of the matter.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I sure hope you're wrong, Jess.

[robvalue]

Just being honest: I have to say this. I can't stand by and watch any longer.

Following on from posts Excited Penguin has made recently, I want to let everyone know my opinion about him. I've held back until now, but he has forced my hand. This is entirely my personal opinion and does not represent the staff in any way.

He's quite possibly a psycopath, putting on a fairly good show as a normal human. He's a vicious heartless manipulator. He collects personal information from people and then uses it against them, both in private where he can get away with it, and in "coded" fashion in public in order to skirt the rules. He isolates and abuses people. I have seen this all first hand, it is not speculation. He is very good at selecting vulnerable people, at their most vulnerable point. I advise everyone to have as little to do with him as possible, to avoid getting emotionally attached, and to not give him any personal information. He is a complete and utter fake. He is extremely dangerous.