Josh,

Great question and it is an important one for all leaders to ask.

You are absolutely right no Soldier wants to work for an officer that acts and talks like a robot. In fact most of them want to work for someone who can relate to them on a personal level. However, there is a line that you have to draw because at the end of the day you will have to make decisions that can and will affect their personal lives. In those instances you cannot allow that personal relationship to compromise your duty as a leader.

There is a way to lead a person without being their friend. Just because you aren’t there friend does not mean you can’t relate to them on a personal level. In fact, your Soldiers do not want you to be their friend, they want you to lead them.

My advice, be authentic and your Soldiers will appreciate that and it will create an environment that will breed trust and confidence in the team. When a team has trust and confidence in each other, the comraderie will come naturally.

~Joe