Recently I found myself staring at them, through the window of the recruitment agency. My face void of expression probably made them feel awkward as one of them came out. He asked me whether I was spending my time without a goal or was looking for a home.

The question echoed in my mind a bit, before I answered that neither was the case and that I didn’t really know what I wanted. It was a lie though, because I knew that I wanted to follow a leader. But where do you find a leader in an era where leadership became an unnecessary quality?

Leaders bring us somewhere, they show us the way. But if we collectively arrived at our destination they become obsolete. Leaders become dealers or managers at best, the new goal maintaining what is. Possibly they try building a high tower to better overview what has been achieved, potentially serving as a lookout to recognise threats. But never to determine direction, because where we are is good.

And that is something to cherish. Unless we recognise that where we are today is not as pretty anymore as it once was. While what is considered pretty is up for debate, it’s evident that most of those who lead us here died and that their towers are broken down.

I appreciated the recent retrospective offered by Tiny_Tim. But after hearing all that, I found myself looking at a desolate landscape and wondered what the vision for the future is after all the death and destruction of recent times.

Are leaders obsolete or do we find ourselves in a new time when they are needed - and if so - what do we expect of them?
How does our destination look?
 

Leaders, real leaders, come and go.  Rise and fall.  

The Streets are quiet(ish) for now.  They'll get busy again.

It sounds like the people that have approached you, do not know, or care much. I have had quite a different experience under Cooper, and now Michael.

I agree with DonChambers, Cooper was a great leader. There are some stand out leaders currently, but sometimes it is difficult to find quality leaders. 

But rebuilding is needed

So many dead after last war so of course its more quite everywhere to all is settle, many old leaders died and some take a break and perhaps comes back soon, who knows. Truly also miss Cooper, a great guy for all time. Some more not mention also good in all aspects.

To fill up all emptiness nd good crews takes time and during this just fet all having it great, soon comes sumemr and then its a bit slow thanks to that but all is good and most CL do great job so I neve rhang out any in any way at all.

Peace out and salute to all fallen!

I'd like to state that those who approached me have nothing to blame. My interactions with them hints at no greatness nor shortcomings. The other David that goes around here however does trigger the topic I try to break here. It's not per say about street presence, but it is about showing an attitude in public. Not too long ago there were a series of Godfathers that actively pursued stability and some of them had a very clear idea on how the society for their members would look like. Despite the unavoidable changes in management, their was a prolonged period of relative peace and little friction.

I'm not at all labelling that period as 'good', but it's fair to assess that in recent weeks something changed with big fights disrupting organisation across the country. Whether this was a coincidental string of events or an inevitable fall of domino-stones is up for debate, but it's obvious that how we organised ourselves recently differs from what was before. 

Without doubt, people like the mentioned Cooper and many others were all great persons, possibly in charge of a group of people. But what I question here is if we are flocking around great people because they offer a proper today or whether they offer a worthwhile future. Do we live today as if it could be our last, or would we chase a tomorrow that can be more valuable than what we know in the present?

There is no right or wrong here, just curiosity: are we victims of inevitability or captains of our future?
 

I fully intend on being the captain of my future, and if not me, I plan on helping the next generation of great leaders get to where they need to be in order to succeed. We have lost many good men, and women in this life recently. With all of the building that is currently going on, I am sure the weak will be weeded from the crop, and those willing enough will step up to the plate. What they do with that is up to them, but I hope they keep good council, however that remains to be seen.

Baby Beel crossed his arms and listened to the man. He was sure he had more experience than him, but he also had a tiny bit, and would like to join the discussion.

"Abulu (I don't wish to be argumentative, but I think leaders are more important now. Our lives are easily taken, given a strong enough gun. We have a limited amount of loyal associates and mades who 'pro' us, or take bullets for us. At some point, they (or we) would die. We need leaders who can make connections, read the the politics, attack when necessary (or for glory), and engage the people so that this thing of ours doesn't die.)"

"Aga (This, of course, comes from the perspective of a new-ish member of the streets. I have heard of how the wars of our ancestors lasted weeks, how bodyguards had tough bones and had to be wiped, and the like.)"

"Apoo (I have only the recent two months to make my judgment.)"

Leaders are not obsolete.  They are all different.  

I wish you luck in finding a good fit.  As the war happened, it appears as though it's a time of change and the leaders are maybe different.

I suggest you look around, talk to a few leaders and sponsors and find someone that you are comfortable with.  If you don't like what you've seen, keep looking.

If you have talked to all and you're still unsatisfied, then I'd say be patient - I think that there are more leaders coming.

If none of those leaders impress - then maybe return to the life of legitimacy.  

But - I think that there will be someone that you like eventually.  Just be patient.

Doc was passing by and got interested in what he heard. He stopped and listened to what everyone has to say. Doc had a few things in his mind. And even though English was not his native tongue, he tried to give it a shot.

I believe that I am the captain of my future. Anything that affects me in life is due to all the choices I made. But one thing is inevitable, and that is death. And what you do from today till the reaper comes for you is solely up to you and the decisions you make. 

Will the leader I choose affect my today and future. Yes! But my leader is the choice I made. His decisions and way of running the family may or may not affect my future or be the cause of my death. I always think of a leader as a guiding force. And being a member of the family I choose, I give my best in helping my leader make the family prosper. After all, it will be the effort of the whole family, that would lead the family to success. 

I wish you luck in your new family.

Doc tips his hat then heads towards the family headquarters.

It had been a busy some days for Aladdin, firstly he had been woken from a coma and then pushed into the spot of leadership under Valencia right in the middle of a set of wars. Needless to say, all his senses weren't even in place before the mayhem started. Knowing what he knows best, Aladdin improvised and helped his Don and GF make it out the mayhem alive. Ever the sleeper, Aladdin went back to his snoozing ways after the last war rocked the mob. Only to be woken up again by Valencia to have a meet with Luis_Patangeli. What happens after will be stated in Arabian Nights (Coming soon). Once given the responsibility to lead Bella Vista into the future. After the recent events of the wars that preceded, Aladdin upon surveying BV from his magic carpet spots a discussion going on in the streets. Always amused by discussions, Aladdin had to stop and see what the ruckus was all about. As Aladdin made his way thru the crowd, he posted up next to a wall with bullet holes no doubt from the previous week. He takes out an apple he had nabbed from the local bazaar and has a bite as he listens to the discussions of the men in the crowd. Carefully he listens to the words of DavidEcho followed by Don, Doc and Michael. He sums up his thoughts and steps to the forefront fo the crowd in the middle of circle. His ever mischievous monkey (Abu) on his shoulder he hands him a banana and clear his throat to speak. 

Some great points have been made here today about a topic that certainly requires light. I thank you David for bringing these issues to light. And I respect all the opinions posed here by the orators that preceded me. Leadership to me is action of perspective of sorts. Not everyone has the same thought process, not everyone works the same way, not everyone has the same path. These multiple layers of exposure, experience and intellect will show variations of perspectives.

He takes his hat off and tucks it into the pocket of his vest. 

That doesn't mean one perspective is right or another wrong. It just comes down to being able to implement your vision as a leader. Going over history books and speaking with old timers. We've all heard about men and women that had different variations of leadership styles. We've had quite leaders that built great mob structures in cities. There were ones that were always under the limelight, rather embracing the attention instead of running away from it. To me, since I am a Crew Leader now. Its a mix of sorts. One of my key roles here is to make sure that anyone that we take into our organization is prepared properly to handle the ways of La Cosa Nostra. Sometimes that requires long talks about about the right protocols of doing things. Sometimes that requires punishment to enforce it. Sometimes it requires bonuses to enforce positive reenforcement. One action doesn't make me weak or another strong. Its just a matter of what decision needs to be made when. Perhaps thats leadership? 

He takes a step back and looks around into the crowd. 

Once I am done developing a proper mafioso or refining one. I then sit back and watch with pride as those guys go on to earn there mantle as button men, some of the highest honor in La Cosa Nostra. These men and women represent the very fabric of our way of life. They also represent me as leader in their endeavors on a everyday basis as well as my city. Hence I expect the highest level of standards from them. Now thats more of whats expected and offered in my HQ on a intra-personal level. 

He takes a step back and holds Abu in place as hes starting to get a little rowdy. 

Now if only monkeys would follow the way of La Cosa Nostra

He chuckles a little and continues to speak. 

On a bigger scope of sorts. I am entrusted to do good in Bella Vista, to bring life back to the streets of Bella Vista. Its probably the biggest reason why we setup a Bazaar outside the Palace. Not is it just a bustling place for all types of businesses and visitors. But its also a fantastic front for the businesses Agrabah Acquisitions has planned for the future. With the livelihood of the development of the BV mob in mind, I also have to taken certain steps to push the standards higher a bit. I invite leaders from across the country to come visit and have tea at our fine establishments, with some of the best belly dancers in the world serving you fine tobacco for your hookah. At places like these discussions about the future of La Cosa Nostra take place. Here we formulate plans to breathe life into the streets the mob operates, as well as talking about how we can help build the businesses about. At meets like these we also get to meet the future leaders of our world. It also gives the upstarts an opportunity to absorb and learn how things are done at the next level. As I said earlier; experience, exposure and intellect. Now I am also the type of man that likes to be in the public face. I almost expect this from my button men. Yes some are shy and prefer to dabble in the works of dark arts and keep a low profile. But that doesn't mean you don't have a part to play. Every mobster, big or small. GodFather or gangster has a part to play. The standards increase with every promotion atleast in my book. And such, eventually these button men will be assigned different fronts, upstart gangsters to be mentored and perhaps even someday an HQ to build upon the basis of what we've started.

He takes a step back and hands Abu another banana. 

So I guess what I am trying to say is, good mentoring of mobsters leads to good development of the businesses we run. When men running these business do well, we as a community, district, city do well. At the same time I also believe its hard to lead from behind rather than the front. Some can achieve this and thats their way of doing things. Im more the type that leads from the front. I figure enough conversations happen in the HQ on the back end...someone needs to show my guys how to do it right in the public eye. I mean lets face it, at some point one of these guys is going to be inheriting my job title. I cant just let someone back into it, leadership is all about leading from the front to me atleast. Make the right decisions, groom your guys right, put them in positions where they can succeed and watch them implement your vision beautifully. Done right, we all benefit.  

Video walks up and down the street. His thoughts about leadership always excite him to speak. He was so happy David brought up a conversation that he felt he could contribute in. Yet video felt like he was going to be a bit wordy today and perhaps his main point would be missed. His main point of course being: Leaders are always needed but leaders look different from one another.  

DavidEcho your words are something quite worthy of taking a moment or two to listen to. When you ask If leaders are obsolete, my mind immediately races to wonder what you mean by obsolete. Is it that you wish to see leaders become more active in the streets? That leaders would engage much heavier in recruiting conversations? Perhaps it is that you wish leaders would get 60 units and spend at least 40 hours in their suits a week?  Whatever the case leadership can always be improved. 

When we skim the surface leadership is divided up into many various areas and sets of skills. There are skills that your crew leader Insta has that i do not. There are skills that i have that Aladdin does not. Some of us recognize our weaknesses in our leadership and fill those gaps with people who are able to bring success with us overall. For a second, my history of lineage has not been known to be the greatest shooters of guns

Video pauses and looks at the shocked crowds. 

My leadership is not the best for remembering dates and times. I have struggled to remember even who was the father of who, nor do i really care as i do not strive to be a historian of our world. No instead my leadership is directed in a very different way. 

Look around you David, what do you see? You see people who come to be the best mafia they can. Their competitive hearts push them forward to excel in the greatest possibility they can. What i see, is people who are looking for the time of their lives. Willing to spend hours upon hours in their suit here and now to invest countless money to provide a greater future for themselves. So what am i to do with my vision? My goal is to create a world for my members that makes them feel important, wanted, and like they matter. 

Am i the best wartime crew leader? Far from it. So what do i do to reconcile that? I recruit people i respect as being strategists on the battlefield. Am i the best story teller in the streets? Again, that is not me. So what do i do? I bring about people who can make an active difference in the streets. 

My leadership tendency is to serve. Conversations constantly arise, whether i am here in my suit or I am home. Whether it is 5:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. i find myself readily available to help any of my members. I do not hold them back. Last night two of my members had wanted to duel each other, a sort of romeo and Juliet fantasy they had. They requested permission to retire and as hard as that was for me i wanted what would make them most happy. I will never hold someone back from the life they want to live and will only help enforce that. 

I loathe the tendency to call managers leaders. That is just a statistician. Someone who is good at so many things but lacks the personal connection. Leaders always go for the heart before they ask for the hand. Managers do the opposite. Leaders look at people where as managers look at numbers. Leaders look to serve where managers look to be served. But a good leader knows he should always have a couple managers working with him to ensure a productive crew. 

My leadership is to become my crew members biggest cheer leader. I am so proud of the people who have done so well for our city and for me. I look at Beko and see what she has done. Her future generations will be forever remembered. She is as loyal as they come and what she is doing in her crews i am just so blessed to see. 

My leadership is to look at the future. We cant always know the future or what will play out. A rogue could hit me later tonight and all this work for the rank of Godfather is now forever gone. But that does not mean, we should not build and prepare for a more glorious future together. A place where people who come to where their suits feel as though they are getting what they wanted like their grandparents when they first came to these shores. To build a successful future where money does grow on trees and first time authorizations are a thing. A future where business districts are just as vibrant as the head quarter bars and both bring so much life to the city. 

I have many friends. Most of which are not within my own city. As much as i wish i had the chance to lead them, i respect their decision in going to a district and crew leader where the future was much more certain for them. We all have aspirations. One thing my friends know about me is that when i become a crew leader i spend a majority of my time connecting with my own crew. 

I try to engage these people in a new and special way. From developing unique ceremonies to being first in conversation with them. I try to please the people i work alongside with in a way that lets them know they matter to me. Sometimes, however this is not always the case. Sometimes life does get to us and our suit can not always be worn. When the suit is worn though i strive to be the best leader this world has ever seen. 

David, i wish i could be more active in the streets. So often i find it hard to be present. I like deep conversations the most. I THRIVE in an environment that makes me think. But what do i talk about that hasn't already been discussed? Pick pocket debate one more time, or a member whoring conversation to stir up some heat? I just struggle as i personally feel that we already know and all agree how this world will be.

Are leaders obsolete? No. Leaders are always needed. No two leaders are the same as I spoke above as we all have different skill sets that we bring to the table. DavidEcho, i imagine you have many leadership gifts and talents that you bring to the table as well. One i can see straight away is the ability to ask hard questions. Please continue to do that. Our world only grows when people can ask questions and will ask questions with a respect. Often, people will come and hurt others with criticism and tear people down. There is no place that here. 

I'd be a victim of inevitability then, Rudy spoke as he looked at DavidEcho

I mean.. I don't believe I would ever become a captain of my future, let alone of others's..

He paused for a moment, then frowned and asked

Is this discussion actually about the leaders and their interaction with crew members and/or possible recruits? Or is this aimed at the general direction that the community as a whole should be steered to?

There is a huge difference between leading a crew and leading a country. A good crew leader isn't necessarily someone that has what it takes to make a country progress, or even has what it takes to add to what is needed for the community as a whole.
So if the discussion is aimed at the latter of the options I gave, I believe there could be at least more material to feed us, the plebs. I guess it should be given a bit of time, as surely those in power are very busy restructuring the country's structure at the moment.

If they're ready, Panem et circenses are needed.

It’s great to hear all this feedback coming from different interpretations. The diverse set of opinions and recommendations make sense given the topic. How we see leaders is shaped by our own expectations and the place we take up in the existing hierarchies. My thanks go to everyone that contributed here.

To further clarify, my curiosity about finding leadership goes beyond finding a family-head that I have a confidence in. I am confident my boss and many - if not most - others are very capable in managing a family and it’s associates. Eventually Rudy really gets to the topic I care about; what is the vision for the greater society we are all a part of?

In that sense I can appreciate what Aladdin recognises.
 

So I guess what I am trying to say is, good mentoring of mobsters leads to good development of the businesses we run. When men running these business do well, we as a community, district, city do well.

I agree that the efforts on a smaller level, say a family, will have an affect on it’s greater context. This eventually affects districts, cities and possibly the country. However, like a stone hitting the water, its waves eventually fade into nothingness. But if across the country we all pursue the same ideas, stones are dropping in the water all over the place, having an immense impact everywhere. Leaders can inspire to such behaviour.

I don't have a real concern myself. It's merely curiosity that drives me. The observation is that this community got drastically impacted through a series of wars after a fairly long period of relative peace. Recognising that, it makes me wonder what people want next; peace and stability once more or continue in chaos. If times of chaos is where we are now, I wonder if prolonged peace is just a coincidence or a destination.

And if it’s a destination; who is leading us there?