Source A Paul Lococo Jr, an historian specializing in Chinese military history, writing in the academic book Genghis Khan: History’s Greatest Empire Builder (2008).

As we have seen already, alliances on the steppes were almost always fragile, as leaders wanted to gain benefits for themselves and their clans, as well as protection from other Mongol alliances. Over the years, Chinggis [Genghis Khan] demonstrated military and political skill, and he also acquired a reputation as a fair judge. His image was greatly enhanced through the use of shamans [spiritual leaders] who spread tales of omens favourable to Chinggis. The tribes often conducted successful raids, and Chinggis changed the way in which the rewards of the raids were divided. Traditionally, the various tribe and clan leaders divided the goods they had taken. Chinggis required that all plunder be placed in a common pile, and he then distributed it between the leaders, who in turn rewarded their followers. In this way, Chinggis not only created a better means of dividing the rewards of war, but he also emphasized his own supreme leadership. All rewards were granted by Chinggis, thus reinforcing his role as leader and his direct connection with the common Mongol soldier.

[Source: Adapted from Genghis Khan: History’s Greatest Empire Builder by Paul Lococo, Jr, by permission of the
University of Nebraska Press. Copyright 2008 by Paul Lococo, Jr. Published by Potomac Books, Inc.]

Source B George Lane, a professor of the history of the Middle East and Central Asia, writing in the academic book Genghis Khan and Mongol Rule (2004).

As head of the tribe, the chief was concerned mainly with the allocation of pastures, the planning of migration times and routes, and decisive leadership. The shaman and the other nobles, effectively a tribal council, both confirmed and provided limits to the chief’s authority. The tribe operated on two administrative levels. At the higher level was the tribal chief, who had direct control over the tribal nobles. At the lower level, these individual nobles controlled their own followers. It was sometimes in the tribe’s interest to form alliances or to seek the protection of a stronger tribe …

As a chief, Chinggis Khan built his power base and his tribal empire through battle, and with each victory he added more men to his army and more people to his following. However, those independent-minded tribal chiefs remained with him not from fear but from choice. Chinggis Khan offered his followers rewards and plenty of plunder. The tribes responded to his call and surrendered their independence because they believed that they would gain and prosper in his service. If he had not delivered, his support would have soon dissolved. Both his authority and the tribes’ continued support depended on his victories and political and military success. The charisma of the leader was crucial.

[Source: Lane, G., 2004. Genghis Khan and Mongol Rule. Indianapolis and Cambridge: Hackett, pp. 5–6. Adapted.]