There is a strong and general instinct, as we noted Friday, to ascribe positive values to what we have determined to be examples of leadership. In a world that so often confuses forcefulness with leadership, this can be – and frequently is, in fact, revealed to be – an exceedingly dangerous habit.
It’s a real problem. But it works the other way, also.
There is a particularly frustrating – and increasing – tendency to characterize any practice or trait deemed “good” as “leadership.” When an executive exhibits behavior that is highly valued – or even expresses a perfectly ordinary one especially well – he or she is declared to be a “leader,” or to have demonstrated “leadership.”
In this way, a manager who has enjoyed success with a project becomes celebrated for the so-called leadership skills of inspiration and team-building. If the manager conceived and recommended the project in order to address competitive pressures, develop new growth opportunities, or resolve operational inefficiencies, then he or she is identified as visionary, creative, or innovative.
What’s more, abilities like these come to be, in general, simply lifted from the domain of management and defined as components of leadership. So, if all you had wanted to do was good work, you may be surprised to find yourself suddenly under great pressure to do something else altogether: to be above the work, a phenomenon in your own right, a transformational personage – a leader.
After all, a manager who shows any positive or constructive characteristic – that is, who tries to manage well – is not really a manager at all, but rather, it turns out, is a leader. Once that happens, it’s all over. The expectations of you expand in unexpected and bewildering ways. And you had best stay on the crest of that wave, or it will engulf you.
It is made to seem a grand thing. But you may want to bear in mind that these sorts of leaders have followers, not colleagues.
How good, really, does that sound to you?
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Today’s tips: Speaking of inspirational communication, please see this NYT column by Maureen Dowd expressing some strongly worded frustration with the sort of leadership, in that regard, that we’ve been getting, lately.
You may also want to review this WSJ piece, by Jessica E. Vascellaro, about the new management style reportedly being established at Yahoo by it’s new CEO, Carol Bartz. This is not what we typically think of as characteristic for a cutting-edge internet business. Perhaps we are getting back-to-basics reminders from all quarters, recently.
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4 Comments
Hey Jim. I think you’re reading the Carol Bartz tea leaves wrong. She was the successful head of a cutting internet business, Autodesk. The style she brings to Yahoo is that same one she used there. I suspect the board knew what it was getting. I also think it may be a good choice after the reign of the Boy King, Jerry Yang.
Hi Wally,
Yes, that’s true, isn’t it? She is a no-nonsense manager in this sense. It just seems to me that most people think of such companies as typically operated the way Yahoo used to be, rather than as it appears it may be soon.
I agree that the board knew what it was getting, and likely sought it out, specifically.
It should be an interesting period for Yahoo. I know you have some strong opinions regarding the way this company has been managed – I hope you find more positive signs in this change!
Thanks for stopping in with this – an important heads-up!
Thanks for the link to the Maureen Dowd column. I disagree w/ her analysis of Obama’s current temperament. While his handling of stimulus money may not gain my full agreement, I appreciate seeing him in interviews saying it just might not work. It’s the realistic, honest approach that Americans are craving now. Besides, the man has to manage expectations because everyone has put him on a huge pedestal, a phenomenon you described in your post. I’ve seen him continually downplay that phenomenon, at least with his words. I think he’s trying his best to avoid letting others prop him up on the wave crest, so that if/when he falls, it won’t engulf him.
Hello Hayli,
The jury is still out on Obama. He does seem to have a frank and reassuring way of projecting an approach that is more practical than ideological – I sure hope events prove that out.
There is some genuine concern from points all along the political spectrum that there is a tendency by him and his inner circle to reserve the option to assess others’ intentions and behavior to themselves, and to ascribe improbably destructive and selfish motives to others.
I also expect that we will see more of this sort of commentary from quarters where we may not have expected it because of the particular way this administration is handling the press.
But for all that, I agree that he is concerned about being isolated and set up for a fall. That is an astute and promising attitude. Best of luck to him in that effort!
Great comments – thanks!
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