Bjorn was walking back from one of his many meetings in Brooklyn. Part of his career as leader of the Irish folks in the Bronx was meeting up with Don RobOakheart and discuss New York business. He found these meetings very useful, not only did they provide Bjorn with knowledge of operations in the city but also showed personal leadership skills of the Don. He knew the Don had promised Bjorn to be his mentor in not only running a family himself but also understanding how his district would be part of a larger, national community.

Now when Bjorn accepted the Don's offer to find his place in the Bronx, Bjorn knew he had much to learn and was promised to be taught on leadership. Yet at the time Bjorn had no idea how that would work. Would the Don take Bjorn on his journey through the country and introduce Bjorn to the other leaders of those cities? No he did not. Did he mean he would discuss all his matters with Bjorn? No he hasn't. Then what did he teach Bjorn, or did he leave Bjorn to learn on his own???

The answer is not simple, the Don knows Bjorn is not a beginner, he does not have to be taught on many things like building protection or being proficient in marksmanship. He knew that the young man that came to him had proven to be skilled in these technical areas already. But as is the problem with all young men, they lack patience, experience and the subtlety of things. Knowing how to handle more complex issues, building up working and diplomatic relationships with other cities. Teaching Bjorn about past history and stories of old, for history is a great teacher and source of knowledge. That was the teaching the Don meant and in time he knew Bjorn would hone his skills in that as well

Bjorn thought about his own fathers' journals, describing how his father had been asked by knowledgeable leaders to act as their hands. Becoming more privy to information, assuming responsibilities for tasks and teaching new associates the way of our world. But is that the only way, is there also a way to teach people the requirements to lead without giving them official positions??

He decided to write an open letter and left it in the central district of every city, asking any leaders to speak up their minds, wondering how they themselves had been taught, or alternatively how they are 'grooming' their subordinates to be future leaders.

Not long after stamping the final poster in the South of Chicago, Bjorn recognizes the face of one of the godfathers, Senza. A well-known and respected leader, decendent of a family of ancestors who held similar positions, he decides to walk up to her and asks her about their own experiences in not only being trained for leadership but as a GF also providing guidance and advice to Don CL's serving in her district

Lucio Otiag listens to Bjorn's speech and then ponders for a bit before stepping forward with his own response.

I am a new leader myself, so I am sure I have not seen all of the potential training methods. However, as an individual I prefer to lead by example, so I like to be taught in that same manner. Show me how to lead, and this is best done when I am offered a hand position so that I can see the tools and learn how to use them towards leading. This is my approach to grooming those under me as well, I give them a hand position and then I discuss issues with them to hear their side and give them my side. This way it is a learning experience for both of us. We can both learn and grow as we overcome new issues. So far this approach has been working well for me with running my crew. Time will of course tell how it works out in the long hall.

Lucio tips his hat and slides back into the crowd.

Listens carefully and likes these kinds of conversations so chooses to join in

I don't think many of us here will forget that one CL when our ancestors were green that showed them the ways, helped them, guided them and also took a firm hand too when needed. My ancestors have both lead and been lead with a remarkable contrast in all of those experiences. The journals show that my lineage learnt as Otiag said by following behaviour and standards set out clearly, they also show that they flourished the most when they felt comfortable at home in their HQ's to ask questions, to be challenged sometimes and also pushed a little to appropriately mature into this world of ours. I think some in the world think leading is easy, for me those that are successful manage that fine line between being approachable and leading by example and also balance that with clearly defined expectations of behaviour and conduct and also not being shy to take action where these fall outside of what is required. The key for me to all of that is communication.

Well as Tellurium stated, I have never forgotten those that really took me in and showed me the ropes. Those were the ones who were very open and were always available to ask questions about anything and everything. They didn't manage me but instead helped me grow, they were always there if I had any questions. So myself, this is how I have always operated since then. I don't care to be somewhere where a leader micromanages what I do, I love to be somewhere that they can fit me in and I can be useful doing something I enjoy. So what you experienced is what I tend to expect and look for in a leader. I like when I'm allowed to prove myself to them instead of being managed to do what they want or need, it gives myself more self worth and gives them more time to do what they need to do. Just like learning to ride a bicycle, we need help to learn how to start but once we get this all we need is picked back up when we fall down. 

Listening attentatively Bjorn tries to wrap his mind around the viewpoints given by the leaders and surprisingly (positive) one of his family members share his view too, right on bronx-born_gangster! Giving it some thought over night he decides to come back the day after to give te ones spoken before some of his ideas on their speeches as well as leave them with a question at the end.

Dear Otiag,

Unfortunately I can only let my thoughts on your speech be known to your son, LucioOtiag, I think your view supports the more conventional approach of 'monkey see, monkey do' e.g. follow what you see from the previous person and follow behavior or decision making that seems to lead to positive outcomes. But what happens if you are dealt a different hand, face new problems that the previous leader had not witnessed nor discussed with you prior to your position in leadership. Do you not think some additional topics outside of what to be observed could be trained.

Ms Tellurium, I highly value your inputs, for they seem to be based on many knowledgeable ancestor experiences and also the own you have acquired in a rather turbulent environment. What you point out, at least part of your whole point, is the balance a leader needs to find in communication to their followers, should it be fully familiar or should there be some note of difference in position. I think this is very difficult balance to keep, sometimes it is even harder when some of your followers are people whose bloodlines have been side by side yours. Or bloodlines you have yourself followed in the past. How should they defer to you, at that stage you are in charge and responsible for all their lives. Should that mean you are in a higher position than them? Would that also include you being able to give them orders in the greater good of the family and not necessarily in the betterment of their lives. E.g. if you have a member of your family that has many many diaries to read and has shown great potential but your finances are low, could you make them take the jobs at the cemeteries and do gravedigging?

And last, Bobbymunson, you talk about giving your subordinates freedom to make their way, steering and advising them here and there. But that comes with a risk in my view. What sort of authority do you give them, the authority to invite people to your family, shoot other family members of rival families, or the opportunity to partake in deciding on loyalties??? It would mean that any mistake they make might have consequences? I wonder how would you mitigate these, I doubt a serious personal insult to a rival family leader would not be waivered when said the insult came out of inexperience and should be condoned. I look forward to your thoughts 

You are correct Bjorn, giving really any freedoms in this thing of ours comes with it's own risk and while I do let them to make their own choices in what they will do for our organization and LA as a whole there are still rules to follow. A select few have authority to invite associates but prior to getting this approval we went over what our family looks at when making decisions to take these associates in. It's not necessarily for the sponsors good so much as it's for the associate making sure they are not joining a family they will not feel they are a part of and enjoy. Of course no one has the authority to shoot at sponsored family members and a few types of other targets as per the agreement when coming aboard along with many of the other topics you have questioned which I consider more obvious but all covered prior to their on boarding. I try my very best to minimize any possible mistakes that they can figure out the hard way if you might say to things that will not result in their death or possible harm to any of the other family. But I can assure you all of your concerns are spoken about prior to any newcomers on boarding within the expectations SoA will have upon them joining. 

Lucio Otiag listens as Bjorn talks, and wipes away a tear at the mention of his father's passing but nods his head an approaches to offer what he can from his fathers journal.

While my father lead by doing, he did not just indicate issues faced with his own family and discuss those with his hands. He also pointed out issues other families where facing for discussion. I do not, and nor did he believe that one can be prepared for every possible situation. All leaders can do is build the foundation as best they can, and then trust in those under them to handle the situations as they present themselves. I do also practice and encourage Tellurium's approach. I feel the best leaders not only lead, but interact with their members. A conversation here, some encouragement there. These are all great leadership tools that every aspiring leader should have or work to develop.

Danica hops up onto a parked truck, settling in on a crate and starts addressing those who still lingered, either unsure of whether to add their voice to the mix or simply having nothing better to do.

I've never led, though I do have a relative that did some time as a Hand and have access to those notes, but this is the inexperienced talking. What I do have though, is a talent for observation that I've honed over time into something I'd like to consider formidable. As skills go. I may be a touch confident as well.

A leader of Our Thing requires a number of things, almost prerequisites, though not all of them are absolutely required.

Danica pulls off one of her gloves and holds a single pale finger up, counting the first point.

Technical skill. You know, knowledge of how the world works. How guns work, in relation to allies in addition to foes. The ability to wield firearms with some competency. While not an absolute requirement for a leader, it's often strongly encouraged and desired. As a result of those two forces, you rarely see a crew leader that hasn't shed blood with their firearm. For Hands, especially those on the Left, it's not as surprising but often skilled shooters are wanted for those positions as well. 

Aside from firearms, technical skill covers inner knowledge of how things work around here. No leader should ever be lifted to ranks of power with gaping holes in their knowledge of the world. Maybe some spots that need filling, certainly, but it'd be asking too much for someone to learn all there is to know while managing a crew

Tossing the glove onto the crate at her feet, she holds up a second finger.

Connections. Perhaps the one that we can argue over the most, due to how often the same bloodlines get shots at organizing a crew. It should go without saying that you can't lead if you know of nobody, have no connections with anyone aside from ties in the same crew. Nobody trusts a stranger, save for fools, and fools don't last long enough in power to bring up other people.

The fact remains, it's much easier to trust a face you know. Either through friendship forged over several generations or through knowing the values of the potential leader in question. In either case, being on terms with many individuals is a route to leadership. It may not be until several generations after such connections are established though. Patience, rather than leaning on said connections, always pays off.

Leaning back, she gets more comfortable, holding a third finger up.

Presence. This one is tricky. I don't just mean making yourself visible here in the Streets, or stopping by the OOC Tavern, or even wandering the various business districts each city hosts. Certainly, that helps. As it's been shown on a number of occasions, those who either can't or are unwilling to talk open themselves up to criticism. Left unanswered, the silent appear either weak or untrustworthy and are removed. 

However, presence covers how you interact with your fellow gangsters on a personal level too. I'm going to stray a little into what might be an opinion rather than a fact but it should be said. History has shown that on many occasions leaders, in an effort to appear as anything but weak, swing too far into the other extreme. You can be strong, without being draconian. Forgiving, without appearing flimsy. 

Tilts her head back, looking up at the iron gray sky. Was it a trick or did it seem lighter? Either way, it seems as though enough time has passed.

Right, you lot probably have had enough. I may have even strayed a bit off the focus of the topic in my rambling. Family trait, proud as hell of it.

In the end, a leader should address everything with balance and respect, pulling on the knowledge they've garnered from their own ancestors. These things, these points I've mentioned, you can start learning before ever assuming real responsibility through official positions.  I hope those out there in the back, who are just listening, that have never either been given a chance or think they don't have the skills for it, reconsider that opinion.