Talking about paternalism, it has been equated as another leadership style at a time. Yet many definitions of leadership generally imply that one of the actions within leadership is that of influencing. Let us take a look an example of the Army that uses the following definition: Leadership is influencing people — by providing motivation, purpose, and direction – during an operation to accomplish the mission.”
Furthermore, the Army comes up by defining “influence” as a means of getting people to do what you want them to do. It is the method to achieve two final targets: operating and improving.
However, there¹s more to influencing than just passing along orders. The example you set is just as important as the words you utter. And you set an example – either good or bad – with every action you take and word you speak, on or off duty. By using your words and example, you must communicate purpose, direction, and motivation to them.
Whilst “paternalism” is defined as a kind of system under which an authority undertakes to supply necessities or regulate conduct of those under its control in matters of affecting them as individuals as well as in their relationships to authority and to each other.
Thus paternalism is to supply needs for those under its protection or command, while leadership is to get things done. Paternalism is directed inwards, while leadership is directed outwards.