Is leader better loved or feared? Even though feared leaders will ultimately always produce a result, being a loved leader you can get your followers to want to do what you ask of them because being feared will produce only the results that you want, being loved will likely produce results that exceed your expectations and being a loved leader will get you honest feedback from all those behind you. So should a leader be feared or loved by those who follow them? History has shown that results can be achieved either way. However, will the ones who follow stay loyal once the outcome has been achieved? Historic leaders such as Hitler in Nazi Germany or present day leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il have gained leadership and kept it using fear and oppression as their tactic. Other leaders such as JFK of the United States and Ghandi as a leader of his peace movement in India were both loved by all those who followed them. They both lead their nations to happiness and prosperity. Even though these two methods are complete opposites they were both successful in their own ways. It is my opinion that leaders who are loved are able to convey ideas and achieve purpose more effectively when it comes to the interest of the people they lead.
It is important for a leader to be loved, admired, and respected. How can one be sure that those who claim they are loyal will truly be loyal when put into a situation where it is tested? When a leader has proved their love and are then loved in return by the people it will create a loyalty that I feel cannot be matched by any other. People that are satisfied by the regime that they are under will be more likely to behave according to societal limitations and be productive towards their society. As well as be more willing to “go the extra mile” for the leader that they love. At times they may even be willing to do work that is above and beyond that of the leaders request. When it comes to the best case scenario the people of a loved leader will likely lay down their own lives for him/her. Also, the men/women who work in government are less likely to be corrupt as they believe in there leader and the beliefs that they are working and fighting for. Less corruption will allow for a more successful nation as the wealth that is builds will be put to making the nation and its people better rather than being pocketed by its rulers. This also enables a mutual respectful relationship between the people and its leader. A leader who is feared on the other hand does not have a mutual relationship with the people. The people will only obey the laws and commands out of pure fear not because they feel that the laws are right or just. Nor will they feel like they are part of a land that is built by the people and its leaders alike, but rather trapped in a home and life that was built for them not by them. When someone leads by fear its people will not feel like they are part of a whole nor will they feel like they have a voice of their own. This will in turn lead to rebellion whether it be sooner or later it will happen, and will likely become violent at some point. The jobs and responsibilities that are required of the people will be done merely out of fear of losing them or even those that they love. You will not see any motivation to do better. They will not strive to be outstanding, but do only the bare minimum of effort, which will only produce an outcome that is demanded of them instead of an outcome that will exceed all expectations.
In the end, is it better to be a leader that is feared than it is to be one that is loved? Well, ideally you would what to have a good balance of the both of them. Since we do not live in a world that ideal things are not commonly found, I feel that a loved leader will produce a better result in most anything than that of a feared leader. It is clear that a feared leader does not inspire the people to be better or happier, but condemns them to be miserable and unhappy. However, a leader who is loved must use that love in a positive way to help the people he leads rather than use it for personal gain. Even though feared leaders will ultimately always produce a result, being a loved leader you can get your followers to want to do what you ask of them because being feared will produce only the results that you want, being loved will likely exceed your expectations, and the people of a loved leader will get you honest feedback from all those behind you.