BTS' RM reflects on evolving from a 'bossy' leader to a collaborative one

BTS leader RM has opened up about the pressures of leading one of the world's biggest boy bands, revealing how his leadership style evolved as the group's members established their own identities and careers.

According to Gulf News, RM shared his reflections in an interview with Fashion Neurosis following his return in 2025 after completing his military service. The rapper discussed BTS's changing dynamics, the demands of global fame and the challenge of leading seven members from different cities and backgrounds.

Reflecting on his early years as the group's leader, RM admitted he had initially adopted a more forceful approach. "I think I was really like overwhelming or very like a powerful type of like bossy type of leader for the first like eight, nine years," he said.

As BTS grew, however, he realised that style of leadership was no longer effective. "As the team got bigger and they have their own names and careers, it just didn't work out anymore," he said. "Of course, they grew up a lot also. After that, I've changed the way to communicate."

RM said the experience taught him that leadership is less about authority and more about responsibility.

Using a simple analogy, he explained: "Everybody is lying on the couch and the window is open and it's too cold. So somebody has to close it but nobody wants to because it's too comfy here lying on the couch." "The leader," he added, "is simply the person who gets up to close the window."

He also reflected on BTS's creative process while discussing the group's upcoming album, Arirang, saying the members now approach decision-making differently than they did in the past.

"In the old days, I (usually me) or Yoongi-hyung would bring us forward, but now all of the members—and this is our strength—all of us want to protect our great and precious relationship, so we're careful," he said.

RM acknowledged that reaching decisions had become more challenging because no single member now takes complete control of the creative process.

"What was hard was that there was no clear captain. Someone, a leader or boss, who could strongly say this is right or wrong and lead the way. At the time, that was hard to do, and so it was difficult. We made the album before setting a clear path through it."