Leaders have followers.
Now that you've seen my thesis statement, let me share what I see in corporate America today.
In corporate America, unfortunately, much of what is called "leadership" is really "politics". Let me explain why. In corporate America...the bestowing of the title "leader" comes from the top down. Which always confused the hell out of me. I mean...leader isn't a title...its a state of being. It something that "happens" when people follow you. It isn't a set of criteria that top management determines you have, as they go through succession planning.
A List of Things Leadership Isn't
Leadership's #1 criteria isn't that upper management is impressed with you. Sure, it helps for you to be influential with them...because the folks you are leading are depending on you to represent the destination and vision that you are all following. Leaders don't spend most of their time facing upwards. Most of their time is spent facing downwards and to the side, talking with the team, and painting a compelling picture of the future.
Leadership isn't how you dress, an "air of executive presence", or a complete lack of emotional response. Some people are swayed by appearances far too much, however, those individual who seek to make a difference are looking for someone with a vision, a direction, and the ability to inspire them to go there. They are looking for someone who can take them somewhere. Leaders dress themselves with humility, with vision, and with credibility that comes from having a vision of where you need to go. Leaders are sometimes passionate, and that passion shows in emotion and frustration sometimes. Only politicians and Vulcans think that passion and emotion are signs of weakness.
Leadership isn't playing golf, have drinks at the country club, and it certainly isn't telling folks above you what they want to hear. Leadership is confidently establishing a direction, a vision of the future, and equipping your followers for the journey ahead. It's staying late with them, when they have deadline. It's understanding the destination you've given them, and running on ahead and removing major obstacles so their path is unimpeded.
Leadership isn't surviving. It isn't making sure you "don't get any one you". It isn't a teflon coating, and it isn't making sure that blame is placed on others instead of you. Leadership doesn't twist words, situations, and doesn't seek to "take out the competition", unless the competition happens to truly BE the competition. Many "leaders" see the competition as being within their own company. Those are your fellow soldiers in the war of business. They are NOT your enemy, and, if they are, you are not being a leader.
Leadership isn't looking a certain way, talking a certain way...it isn't deciding someone is damaged goods, and never considering any new information about them. Leaders forgive...give second chances, they understand that folks that make mistakes, and are given a chance to change.
In summary...leaders aren't managers, and aren't politicians...here's a cool chart that really sums it all up:
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/articles/manager_leader.htm
There's too many politicians out there...too many managers that use coersion and intimidation to get folks to do something. There's not enough leaders, and American business and our economy is showing the signs. We don't believe in ourselves anymore. We don't believe in each other. We don't trust each other.
Where are the leaders? Are you one? Are you brave enough to go up against the politicians and the managers, and tell them that you, and others, have a vision, and are going to realize it?
Lead on!
Doc
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