More and more I think we struggle from a lack of great leadership in our country. While I would hope to never fall prone to the historical temptation of clamoring for a king, I do crave wise leadership… from the presidency to the pulpit to our places of business… from our homes to our sports teams to all heads of state. We thrive from great leadership; we suffer from that which is something lesser.
I’m mindful of a piece published in Forbes two/three years ago. In it, contributor Mike Myatt wrote a great piece. Allow me to include a short excerpt here:
“If you ever wonder why we’re in a crisis of leadership all you have to do is to watch and listen to those in positions of leadership. While there are clearly many aspects of leadership that must work together in harmony in order for leaders to be effective, everything breaks down when leaders don’t understand how to engage effectively.
Let’s start with what leadership is not: Leadership is not a monologue, a speech, a lecture or a filibuster. Leadership is not talking at or over people. Leadership is not sequestered, does not live in a bubble or operate in a vacuum. Leadership is not exclusive or arrogant. Leadership is not about the leader.
What we see all too often in today’s leaders are little more than egocentric talking heads. They are so enamored with seeing themselves on camera or listening to themselves talk they have forgotten it’s their job to solve problems, not create or exacerbate them.
History’s best examples of leaders are of those leaders who were/are highly engaged, very inclusive, deeply caring, and highly empathetic. They don’t fear being proven wrong, but are deathly afraid about the thought of being wrong and not knowing it.
The best leaders are not interested in who is right, but what is right. They not only embrace dissenting opinions, but they seek them out at every opportunity. Real leaders are just as at ease when unlearning as they are when learning. And perhaps most importantly, they never pass up an opportunity discuss, converse, dialog, or debate. They know that their leadership is only as good as their ability to engage, listen, discern, and to act.”
Myatt — who describes himself as one who likes to “write about leadership myths, and bust them one-by–one” — hits the nail on the head, in my opinion.
“Everything breaks down when leaders don’t understand how to engage effectively…” how many times have leaders been silent — not engaging, not trusting supposed subordinates with information or perceived transparency. Often they ask for a following, albeit absent any authentic engaging.
“Leadership is not a monologue…” Sorry, I don’t care how brilliant a person is or what his/her teachers in school told him/her. I don’t care about their mind-blowing talent or extensive, academic affirmation. I don’t want my leaders shouting at me nor being the only ones talking. Great leaders need to be able to listen better than they speak. Leadership is not about the leader.
“Leaders are so enamored with themselves…” I have seen far too many whose humility seems to be siphoned away with all upward mobility. They forget that humility is perhaps the most attractive trait in any leader. Note: I speak not of passivity. I speak of a bold, embedded empathy — a mindset of which I never question if the person cares most about self and hearing themselves speak. Yes, history’s best examples of leaders were/are marked by being “highly engaged, very inclusive, deeply caring, and highly empathetic.”
“The best leaders are not interested in who is right, but what is right…” Again, the best leaders care less about their role, their ideas, and their success… the best leaders don’t excessively use first person pronouns… “I/me/my/myself” will always be secondary to “you,” “us,” and “we.”
Oh, how I crave wise leadership… recognizing what a rarity it can be.
Respectfully…
AR