Organizational governance - Lead by Example: Week 1

 

This week on Business Blunders Trivia we started the discussion on Leadership.

The first question I put forward was if leaders such as Dwight D. Eisenhower were too old school, or were they in fact instrumental in modern leadership theory? I say yes they were instrumental, and you only need to read the quotes I have chosen to agree with me.

‘Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.’ (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

‘The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it’. (Theodore Roosevelt)

‘The department is filled with able men who analyze their problems well but always feel compelled to bring them to me for final solution, I must have assistants who will solve their own problems and tell me later what they have done.’ (George C. Marshall)

‘I love argument. I love debate. I don’t expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me - that’s not their job. (Margaret Thatcher)

We also talked about leadership traits including:

Integrity - ‘The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in the army, or in the office.’ (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Confidence - ‘Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go.’ (Napoleón Bonaparte)

Accountability - ‘Leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong, and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well.’ (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Inspiration - ‘I would rather try to persuade a man to go along, because once I have persuaded him, he will stick. If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared, and then he is gone.’ (Dwight D.

Eisenhower)

Sense of humour - ‘A sense of humour is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.’ (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Empowerment - ‘Until you spread your wings, you’ll have no idea how far you can fly.’ (Napoleón Bonaparte)

From there we looked at Kurt Lewin’s s Leadership styles, where they might apply, and if it was appropriate for a leader to alter the style depending on the environment, people, and situation.

Authoritative (Autocratic) – With this style, the leader is in charge and will make all the decisions. This style of leadership certainly has its place, in particular when you are leading a team into battle or harms way. That being said, there may be room for input from subordinates, but often little time for debate.

Participative (Democratic) – The leader solicits and welcomes input from the team members before making a decision. You must keep in mind though, work is not a democracy as leaders are accountable to executives and shareholders, and the leader must make and be accountable for the final decision.

Free-Rein (Laissez-Faire) – There is no formal leadership. Although there may not be someone formally in charge, leaders will emerge from the crowd, and members may otherwise be self- directed.

For most people, the preference is the Participative style; self esteem therefore productivity and loyalty are enhanced when people feel appreciated, and their thoughts respected. That being said, there is a phenomenon which can occur, which I call ‘The Illusion of Democracy;’ this is where a manager goes through the steps of consultation with no intention of accepting any of the recommendations, and they do this in order to trick their staff into thinking they are valued. I caution you, most people will see right through this, and valuable ones will find a new home.

Although most assume military and emergency services follow the Authoritative approach, there are many situations where incident commanders solicit and rely on the advice of their subordinates when it comes to matters of strategy and execution.

Free-Rein is an interesting concept which many believe is not possible; however, I have seen this work even in emergency services where workers are given a great deal of latitude to determine the best course of action to completing a task.

And finally, we tipped our toes into the reality of ineffective leadership.

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See you next week when we will continue the discussion.