One thing I took away from growing up a military brat and then being an NCO myself in the military:<p>You lead people, you manage things. People are not managed, they are either led well or poorly. Good leaders lead from the front, right alongside their charges. This is one thing I miss from my military time. Leaders should be working, not sitting in an office breathing rarefied air and distant from their charges.<p>I'm thankful my current "boss" is happy to simply let me and my one colleague run with it. Should we need something, we ask, but otherwise we know what to do and the road map is clear. We work with a sense of urgency, get things done and keep the boss happy. He looks good, we look good. Another thing that is detestable is too many meetings for the sake of meetings. Have a purpose for the meeting. Allow feedback, take constructive criticism (leaders, I'm looking at you), and actually lead with your troops, not away from them. My sole colleague and I get more done in one day than I did in a week at my previous position because the bureaucracy would not get out of the way.<p>Lead, follow, or get out of the way.