I’ve been teaching leadership theory and management practices in two MBA programs for eight years, always with the hope that as my students go out into the world and challenge the status quo. There is a dearth of accountable and visionary leaders out that there that are equally passionate about the quality of what they deliver as they are about the bottom line. There are too few managers that are “multipliers”, what Liz Wiseman calls leaders that truly want everyone around them to be smarter and unique in the value they bring. Men and women that tap into the basic human desire to do good and do well; who easily earn and model a trust that reverberates throughout the organization.
I admit, it’s tough to hold on to values on the higher levels of moral development when the predominate thinking is pulling you down to the lower levels of hierarchical needs like crabs in a barrel. There’s so much fear of failing, losing, retaliation, or emotional pain.
As I write this, I’m consulting for a small firm on a contract in the public sector; busy fundraising as a board member of two non-profits; finishing up one course in visionary leadership, another in total quality, and over-committed to two professional organizations. The bright side of this chaos is I get to observe leadership across all sectors, in small and large organizations. Where is see what I preach in the non-profits and small businesses. Once optimistic leaders become “tainted” as one of my students said in a recent classroom discussion. What does it take not to succumb to this Medusa?
I believe that it’s courage. The realities of leadership are often quite scary. But the myths are our only hope for a better tomorrow. Are you willing to lose your job when you refuse to accept less accountability from a revolving door of senior management? Will you rest on the laurels of a feat of teamwork that was more about a “by any means necessary” culture than your influence as a leader? Could you even THINK about rocking the boat when it’s an oil tanker? The Latin root of courage is “cor” which means “heart” and most definitions link courage to bravery based in beliefs, passion, confidence and commitment.
So the myth and the reality are one within the hearts of those that choose to lead. To not be pulled down the barrel, a visionary leaders must be ever mindful that fear drives the wedge and courage brings us back whole.
