For those who follow the streets and actually take tha' time to see what drives our world, you'll know I was inspired to take this approach. This topic deserves its own place of discussion, despite how many hundred times it has been discussed before. Myself, I'm findin' it very hard to point out significant figures in our world like I used to. My approach to tha' fresh faced isn't just 'Do you want to join a crew?'. It's a careful process of ensurin' that the worker is set up with the right type of leader. Be it me, or other. 

Followin' the recent events in LA, I have at least one brilliant example of someone I can refer a worker to if Las Vegas does not strike their fancy, however to truly inspire someone, I want to be able to say 'That guy, he's Godfather of an entire city, he has over a hundred people following his lead. He knows his people, he knows their ambitions and he drives engagement.'

But I can't, not anymore.

The difference between a boss and a leader doesn't need detailin'. Inspire, engage, motivate and so on. We all know this, some chose to practice it, others do not. 

In keepin' with the source material for this approach, everyone, all leaders are entitled to their own opinion of what they deem as disrespect and what they deem as challenging. If that disrespect or challenge becomes too great, there is obviously a solution to that, too. How you as a leader interpret disrespect in line with tha' general public is probably something that you should consider first, though.

Yes, you could shoot us all. But who will be left to lead, to inspire or challenge? Are you really a leader if you've driven everyone away? I'm seeing less and less activity every day, and don't give me that bullshit that is the cycle of things. Break the fuckin' cycle and define your role in this world. Otherwise we're all just waiting to be shot.

Some leaders clearly don't lose any sleep over our opinions, but there's only so obscenely low your activity can reach before we all just start fallin' asleep and shuttin' up anyway.

There are plenty of 'significant people' in our world who, by name, many may not know or may simply refuse to be around. As you mentioned, I think it in large has to do with the difference between being a Boss and being a Leader. A boss creates and instills fear, a leader instills confidence. Bosses assign blame, whereas leaders correct mistakes. A Boss can take a good group of people and destroy it, causing the best workers to flee and the remainder to lose all motivation.

Fear. Intimidation. Arrogance. Greed. Dismissal of any thought process or actions which differ from their own.

These are all traits that can be found in a Boss.

Traits which if left unchecked nearly always result in less than stellar performance from not only those working for you directly, but from those around you.

I too have noticed an extreme deprivation of activity around here, but more importantly in my opinion is what's been happening when there is activity. As you noted on, the way in which 'disrespect' is construed and handled is an extremely important thing.

When there is no space for people to debate properly, and the threat of death is all too real, people begin to see things for what they truly are. When folks who haven't even been Made within their own family are simply terrified to have any type of presence, the blood that pumps this thing of ours begins to dry up.

Those who can not engage, do not inspire and are hardly around do nothing but harm our way of things on a scale much bigger than I think is even realized.

Sadly, we see Bosses far more often than we see Leaders, Ms. Gato.

Ah my dear Ms. Gato. My father was in the middle of writing a speech just like this one, getting inspiration from the useless “leadership” out in Chicago. He primarily wanted to focus on the differences between a leader and a boss, as you’ve chosen to do here. You see, my father felt that the job of a true leader is to make more leaders – not sit up on your throne and expect people to bow the knee to you all the time.

The difference between a leader and a boss is that a true leader inspires others to follow them, willingly. They make people want to dedicate themselves to the leader’s vision. They are personable, willing to listen to the lowest of voices, and they make everyone understand the role that they play and why it’s important. A manager or a boss, simply gives orders. They use fear and shame to make others do what they say. A boss controls the people under them. A leader inspires the people and works alongside them. Under a real leader you wouldn't ever hear someone say "if you want to live, join a crew in Las Vegas". You'd instead hear people say "join Las Vegas because it's such a fun and exciting place to be."

A leader is the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. They don’t go to sleep when a rogue is about, letting the people under them stay up all night to figure shit out themselves. They don’t kill people and then come smear their names in the streets with childish nicknames. If one of their people messes up, the leader takes that on and acknowledges their role in the screw up. 

A true leader is hands on. They listen, they ask questions, they work with other people. A boss directs, commands and expects others to obey. A real leader would want to nurture and grow fresh talent, not kill it because they simple don’t have the time for it. A real leader would take so called disrespect in stride and use that opportunity to make an ally instead of an enemy. In fact, that best leaders I've ever seen are ones that can take disrespect, speak to the person and end up making them one of their most loyal and hard working soldiers. 

But true leaders are few and far between in our world, as TheDonBot has already pointed out. I do believe that Godfather Disorder was a true leader at one point in his career. Now he seems nothing more than a whiny old man, tired of dealing with the challenges of leadership. Of course, a true leader has trained others to replace him; ones that can handle the challenges in his place so he can get much deserved rest. Someone that the community understands is the leaders voice when the leader is not present. Mr. Disorder has instead made sure to kill anyone that could replace him. But alas, that would set me off on a tangent that would veer away from the topic at hand. 

Thank you, Ms. Gato, for bringing this discussion to the streets. I only hope you don't suffer similar sorts of consequences as my poor father. Be mindful of your thoughts as well, for apparently there are a number of mind readers in our world. 

"Boss" and "leader" are synonyms in our world and neither carry necessarily negative connotations so I feel no need to make a distinction or encourage others to create poor terminology. What you're talking about are "good leaders" and "bad leaders".

Anyway, to the matter at hand, firstly I would question why you are pointing any world-be gangsters anywhere other than Las Vegas as you're the underbosss of a crew in The Strip and we have plenty of space here? Secondly, if you feel like no reference points exist for great leadership, then perhaps you should step up and fill the void? We have created plenty of opportunities for individuals to do exactly that and despite the tired narrative of "my leader isn't entertaining me", I personally feel like your entertainment is your own problem. Do something about it. Be what you want to see. Inspire, motivate and engage to your heart's content, you're not only not being stopped from doing that, you're being actively encouraged to do so.

Good and bad leadership are entirely subjective. As my boss understands my motivations of making money, gaining respect and having a little power, he's doing a wonderful job because he's provided me with all three. If my motivations were for free discussion regardless of a standing and free rides for schemers, then I probably wouldn't be very happy with how things are playing out. Luckily for me, they aren't.

Activity always falls during the tenure an extended regime because dynamic events typically drive activity and they become fewer the more populated the top becomes with allies. That doesn't have to be the case and rather than accept the "obscenely low activity" of a certain few, either change it or again, take some responsibility for yourself. You can create your own activity, it is just harder to do than complaining about it from others.

And finally, this narrative that everyone is being shot for speaking their mind is also evidently untrue. One guy was shot for trying to be smart and be disrespectful to the Godfather's number two and got found out. He tried to disguise his disrespect in a manner which he thought he could get away with. We can argue until the cows come home about whether or not it was justified, but can you honestly pretend that isn't what he was doing? I doubt it. Thinly veiled digs are rarely well received, however you try to dress them up. 
 

Good mornin' mista LongNeck, thank you for comin' out here.

I'm sure you understand the hesitation for breakin' away form the herd durin' these times. Any efforts I make to change or improve things I wish to do so from an environment I can at least feel safe to invest some time in. Plus, this city is where I consider home, my friends and loyalties lay here. I enjoy a challenge and contributin' towards making Vegas the bright, vibrant light it is appeals more to me than branchin' off like a child to show you 'how it could be done'.

My concerns are with those trapped inside 40 man HQ's with little to no leadership activity. If those 40 members are made up of equally veteran and docile individuals, then that's fine, however I know from experience the number of opportunities to engage and inspire new members which passes through our doors on a daily basis. It frustrates me that they are most likely bein' brought in, then left. When the crew eventually disintegrates, they will die sleepin' and their kin never return. How many missed opportunities are out there ta' increase our numbers as a community?

The number of sponsors is lacking, too, perhaps it is a good time to rally together those individuals and add to the quality that comes with bein' a Made Man by sharin' approach methods.

I take on board your comments about the state of an extended regime, and agree that there was some unnecessary comments made which resulted in Wyatt's death. Would he have died if they were not made? I'd like to think not, however as a community tha' focus is unfortunately not on that, the attention is on a man who spoke out and was shot for it. 

Being a regular face on the streets isn't worth much if you can't accept both sides of the coin, otherwise you're just part of the mob. 

As for the other comments made on what defines and boss and a leader, we can't say that there isn't ample opportunity for individuals to stand up and be the change 'dat they want ta' see. These have been offered to us on a plate. 

We need more leaders

You look around and you will find a "boss" on every street corner..hell it only takes 11 days and to sell some drugs to become one of those. but a true leader is hard to find. Inspire your troops, create change and always keep others happinessand enjoyment above yours.

A true leader is one who avoids getting picked off in a handful of hours.

Nikki_Swango - showing leadership is going into a dangerous situation with one's head held high.

Showing a lack of leadership is doublecrossing.

James will learn the folly of his ways.

I stop as I hear a group of individuals discussing the difference between a boss and a leader. I felt I wanted to show my views on this.

"A boss can found on every street like the fella said before. Any chump can become a boss and make a bit of dough. You want to know what makes a leader?"  I say as I flick my cigarette onto the side walk. I place my hands into my pockets and begin to pace about a little.

"A leader is someone is takes the situation by the balls and squeezes them. He is the guy that provides for those he gives employment to. I don't just mean money. Any fucker can offer a payday. By providing I mean protection, a home, guidance. A leader is someone who can motivate those around him to better themselves."

"In my personal opinion, a leader is someone who can rally those that follow him at a moment's notice, and who has their undying loyalty. I'd take a bullet for my boss, Mr Corrigan. Why? Because I know he would take one for me. End of the day it comes down to respect. Can you give your absolute loyalty to your leader? If you can't, then why the fuck are you working for him?"

"Mista Darmondy, the more I hear about the standards and approach by the operational heads in Los Angeles the more interested I become in understandin' more. I feel the newer faces to our streets are in safe hands should they wind up on your books, and I will certainly be referring new workers that way if they do not lean towards operatin' from Vegas.

Thanks for takin' the time to come out here.

Pollution had missed almost the entirety of the original discussion, but as he wandered past, a cheeky line had caught his attention.

"Kuku, you ask if TabithaGato can be trusted with new workers?"

Pollution chuckles, almost uncontrollably,

"To be honest with you, young man.. There are very few people around me I would trust more with my new workers. Don't you worry your pretty head, Tammy is a good egg. You need not fear."

Pollution winks at Tammy and continues about his daily business.

Disorder listened to the discussion for some time, taking in what people had to say. 

"This is an interesting discussion Tabitha. While I agree it is something of a semantic argument, the debate over what makes a leader good or bad remains poignant. Larry touched on something I would put forward as a key element to good leadership, that is to give your people what they want. Seems simple but everyone is different, so the next step then becomes knowing what it is each individual wants. In turn knowing that requires you know each individual. And to properly know people, you need to be genuinely interested in them. And there I think, for me at least, is the key.

Knowing your members and caring about seeing them happy has always been the principal driving force for me. As the family expands to a district and a city and further still, the reach of concern grows but the aim remains the same. I can appreciate my input on what makes for good leadership may be met with a volley of enthusiastic opposition but in a way, that will illustrate my point. In order to see the goals fulfilled I have been willing to make clear and sometimes very difficult decisions, in order to maintain my original view. I continue this way, from the first day to this. 

I know other people have different approaches but that's always been mine."

Tack a treat to a twig with a bit or rope and I'll follow you to the worlds end. Some people are just good at looking good, others are good at doing good, then you have the very very few who can run a city, do know all their members, and do wholeheartedly care for the bigger picture, for others its sometimes just a power trip to enjoy the ride while it lasts without thinking about actions and consequences. Either that or some times people have lost enthusiasm so blindly recruit blindly lead and oh well looks whos six feet under, damn shame I say.

I can lead many a man, but I will not lead blindly or without care. I'm here, you've been warned.

"Hi, DonnieTheLionHeart, pleasure ta' meet you. I'm not sure of tha' context behind your warnin', but it seems like you are makin' your approach clear. It's good to be confident, as a leader you need ta' show certainty and give orders without doubt, or at least not revealin' such things. It sounds like you're on a path you feel strongly about, and I can respect that.

Tammy offers a respectful smile and turns to the Godfather Chair, Disorder, who had offered his insight.

"Sir, I appreciate your words, and empathize with your position. In my own approach when advisin' our button men, I make two things very clear on what I expect. The first bein', know their name. Don't assume, don't use tha' one that appears on the telegram, ask them. More often than not, it'll be the same as the one they have signed, however by takin' the name that they wish to be called it proves that you're invested in them as a person. You care about who they see themselves as a person.

"Tha' second thing I ask they do, is they find out what the worker is lookin' to achieve. Once I know what their motivation and aspirations are, I'll offer to support them in achievin' them. I make it clear there are no promises, it all depends on their level of commitment to the operation as we only get out of it what we put in. So, if they prove ta' be a stand up member who deserves what it is they are lookin' to achieve, I'll do everythin' in my power to make it so. 

"So, I hope you can see that when I say I understand your position, you know that I have great respect for anyone who knows what it takes to truly engage people."