It has been said that great leaders have the courage to challenge the status quo and have all the best qualities and so we must as well strive to instil these qualities in us. But why is it that when we generally give examples of great leader’s we option to show the positive and good aspects only. Don’t get me wrong. I am not agreeing to the fact that bad leaders are great and that we also should have bad characteristics, but rather leaders are human and as all humans do, they also have their flaws. Would it not be better if we also studied the shortcoming as a human nature of the leader’s? Rob Asghar a contributor in Forbes magazine provides an interesting side to the definition of who the best leaders are. He says, “Most of the modern leadership development industry is based on a myth. It’s a feel-good myth, spread by consultants and academics and “gurus,” about how the best leaders are collaborative, compassionate, empathetic and free of most defects of character. But it’s false. The best human beings are collaborative, compassionate, empathetic and free of most defects of character. But the best leaders usually are not. (Ashgar, 2014)” As such there are practices which are followed by leaders that contrast to the five practices of exemplary leaders as mentioned by Kouzes and Posner. Some of the contrasting practices have been mentioned below.
1. My way is the right way
Some leaders do not care for being an example to others. They are focused on getting the work done and so may choose a different approach. A lot of American presidents have modelled the way as great leaders. President Abraham Lincoln was famous for his truthfulness and ending slavery while president Barrack Obama modelled the way with his drive that nothing was impossible and rightfully said “Yes we can”. The current president, Donald J Trump, however has had a different approach that resonates with ‘my way is the right way’. Whether it is effective in the long run is yet to be seen.
2. Inspiring a Vision
Keeping aside the ethical and emotional aspect, let us take Hitler as an example just for academic learning purpose. He was an influential leader. This may bring in criticism to my discussion but we still cannot deny the fact that he was a leader who changed the world. With disregard for human life and dignity, he inspired a whole country to march to war under his wrong vision. The nationalists did not follow him, but rather was inspired to the vision he was selling.
3. Follow the Process
Some instances require the process to be followed and not challenged. For example a doctor doing a heart surgery cannot challenge the process in the middle of the operation. He would rather be his best if he follows the process. Similarly a pilot should be strict in following the process while on flight. The process are there for a reason and bypassing them can lead to injury or even death.
4. Enable Others to Act under order
Kouzes and Posner mentions, “Leaders understand that the command-and-control techniques of the Industrial revolution no longer apply. (Posner, 2003)”The practice of enabling others to act may not be all true in every leadership. For example a military leader in the middle of a battle field may want his troops to follow his order to the last step. The commander may control through mutually shared nationalist views.
5. Encourage the Heart through benefits.
People react to situation in different ways. Leaders can encourage people through heart but in this day and age people are more money oriented. It would be wrong to generalize but most people work for money and benefits and so do things not because it makes them feel good about themselves but it gets them something in return. For example would a share broker be satisfied with encouragement only? Let us take a labour worker who carries materials for a living. His life and his family are dependent on his daily wage. He will be more encouraged with added benefits instead of encouragement.
References
Ashgar, R. (2014, November 14). Why Bad People Make The Best Leaders. Forbes .
Posner, K. (2003). The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. In B. P. Jim Kouzes, Leadership Challenge Workbook (First ed., p. 11). San Francisco : Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint.
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It has been said that great leaders have the courage to challenge the status quo and have all the best qualities and so we must as well strive to instil these qualities in us. But why is it that when we generally give examples of great leader’s we option to show the positive and good aspects only. Don’t get me wrong. I am not agreeing to the fact that bad leaders are great and that we also should have bad characteristics, but rather leaders are human and as all humans do, they also have their flaws. Would it not be better if we also studied the shortcoming as a human nature of the leader’s? Rob Asghar a contributor in Forbes magazine provides an interesting side to the definition of who the best leaders are. He says, “Most of the modern leadership development industry is based on a myth. It’s a feel-good myth, spread by consultants and academics and “gurus,” about how the best leaders are collaborative, compassionate, empathetic and free of most defects of character. But it’s false. The best human beings are collaborative, compassionate, empathetic and free of most defects of character. But the best leaders usually are not. (Ashgar, 2014)” As such there are practices which are followed by leaders that contrast to the five practices of exemplary leaders as mentioned by Kouzes and Posner. Some of the contrasting practices have been mentioned below.
1. My way is the right way
Some leaders do not care for being an example to others. They are focused on getting the work done and so may choose a different approach. A lot of American presidents have modelled the way as great leaders. President Abraham Lincoln was famous for his truthfulness and ending slavery while president Barrack Obama modelled the way with his drive that nothing was impossible and rightfully said “Yes we can”. The current president, Donald J Trump, however has had a different approach that resonates with ‘my way is the right way’. Whether it is effective in the long run is yet to be seen.
2. Inspiring a Vision
Keeping aside the ethical and emotional aspect, let us take Hitler as an example just for academic learning purpose. He was an influential leader. This may bring in criticism to my discussion but we still cannot deny the fact that he was a leader who changed the world. With disregard for human life and dignity, he inspired a whole country to march to war under his wrong vision. The nationalists did not follow him, but rather was inspired to the vision he was selling.
3. Follow the Process
Some instances require the process to be followed and not challenged. For example a doctor doing a heart surgery cannot challenge the process in the middle of the operation. He would rather be his best if he follows the process. Similarly a pilot should be strict in following the process while on flight. The process are there for a reason and bypassing them can lead to injury or even death.
4. Enable Others to Act under order
Kouzes and Posner mentions, “Leaders understand that the command-and-control techniques of the Industrial revolution no longer apply. (Posner, 2003)”The practice of enabling others to act may not be all true in every leadership. For example a military leader in the middle of a battle field may want his troops to follow his order to the last step. The commander may control through mutually shared nationalist views.
5. Encourage the Heart through benefits.
People react to situation in different ways. Leaders can encourage people through heart but in this day and age people are more money oriented. It would be wrong to generalize but most people work for money and benefits and so do things not because it makes them feel good about themselves but it gets them something in return. For example would a share broker be satisfied with encouragement only? Let us take a labour worker who carries materials for a living. His life and his family are dependent on his daily wage. He will be more encouraged with added benefits instead of encouragement.
References
Ashgar, R. (2014, November 14). Why Bad People Make The Best Leaders. Forbes .
Posner, K. (2003). The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. In B. P. Jim Kouzes, Leadership Challenge Workbook (First ed., p. 11). San Francisco : Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint.