Sometimes we carry mirrors around to brandish at the dreamers among us, to make them shudder at how ridiculous they appear, and to bring them back down to earth. But, then, sometimes we can be found preening in them, ourselves, fancying that we, also, see something grand that really isn’t quite there. Those mirrors – they can be very dangerous, distorting the truth as much as revealing it, to those who dare to gaze into them.
In this context, there is something funny going on at the circus, lately. It seems that the gurus are already breaking out their summer commencement articles, and encouraging this year’s crop of graduates to prepare specifically for careers as “leaders.”
For example, one such item recently enumerated the ten best careers to enter, in order to be a leader. Anyone care to guess what that is supposed to mean?
Another, though, noting that there has arisen a controversy over the veracity of the claim that there is a difference between leaders and managers, appeared to offer the promise of meaningfully contributing to that debate. Unfortunately, the author simply pronounced the matter closed by peremptorily declaring that “of course” there is a difference.
A list of differences between them was then trotted out, as though to document the assertion. You’ve seen these: the far-seeing, courageous leader thrives on change, while the drooling, witless manager scrambles merely to stay abreast of the status quo. And the like.
The thing that struck me about this particular presentation was its unapologetic brandishing of the “of course” debating technique. This, actually, isn’t properly debate at all, but rhetorical intimidation. One preemptively dissipates any doubt detected stirring the audience about one’s claim with a half-surprised, half indignant bark: “of course.”
There is no need, you see, for an explanation. It’s obvious. And, sure enough: “Of course,” you think to yourself, relieved and thankful that you never actually uttered anything stupid to challenge this great personage, to question this fundamental truth.
But should you muster sufficient stupidity to actually keep your own feet after this exchange, then the rhetorical device is coupled with a weapon that lends fearsome momentum and range to the total effect: the arched eyebrow. These things can actually be made to sort of leer out at people, and appear to physically silence them.
If you aren’t sure what I’m talking about here, watch the candidates in the remainder of the presidential campaign in the United States – especially when they are talking to potentially disruptive or hostile audiences. You’ll see all you care to of these tools.
But steel yourselves to their use in your own life. And do not let them, when applied to issues that make a real difference in everything from organizational design to your career decisions, influence – or rather, suppress – your thinking.
If someone ever tells you that, of course, there is a difference between a leader and a manager, don’t mistake the inevitably following arbitrary definition of one for a defense of the assertion. Make him or her explain why such an assertion should be true.
And if they do happen to offer such an explanation, please send them my way. I would love to hear it.
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Today’s tip: Speaking of acting from myth rather than history, please see this article, by Carmine Coyote at Slow Leadership, about how such self-delusory mirror-gazing by “leaders” distorts more than merely their self-image.
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Speaking of thorough argumentation about the management/leadership debate, did you know that as a subscriber to this blog (by either RSS reader or email), you are entitled to a free download (.pdf format, 344KB) of the first chapter from Jim’s critically-acclaimed book, Managing Leadership? Download your free chapter now! (Even if you haven’t subscribed, yet – download it anyway!)
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