Aaron Fulkerson
I don’t believe in leaders. Leaders are people, and people are multifaceted and imperfect. Good people can be bad leaders and bad people can be good leaders. I’m puzzled.
Again, I don’t believe in leaders. But I am a deep believer in leadership.
When we talk about leaders, we are talking about people. When we talk about leadership, we are talking about action. that’s another thing.
In fact, leadership is behavior, and behavior can be learned and changed over time. Anyone. Every person has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the world around them. We have all seen people in positions of authority who do not practice good leadership. I was.
The lesson is: Authority is no substitute for leadership.
We often confuse titles with leadership, they are connected but not quite connected. The abilities and behaviors that make someone effective in positions of authority have little to do with control. Instead, interpersonal dynamics, building trust, setting vision, and accountability all play a central role. increase. And we all have the opportunity to demonstrate these behaviors, regardless of our role. No one has to wait for the title.
We immediately worship our leaders and hold them up as superhuman beings. I think that’s also why it hurts when they fall from grace. We have a hard time accepting that they’re human just like us.
When you see someone in a leadership position, resist the temptation to succeed with that persona. “Wow!” you might think. She’s strong, determined, and strategic! Instead, think of their success in terms of actions. It was a powerful decision that showed decisiveness and demonstrated a strategic approach. ’ It says the same thing, but it really isn’t. The first thought is about people, the second is about actions.
And it is also how we should see ourselves. When we experience a certain amount of success, we are tempted to start thinking that it is because of us and because of how great we are. It is a slippery slope. Leadership requires humility throughout your career. Stop trying to be a leader and try to be a good leader instead.
Because leadership is a perfect art practiced by imperfect people.
Aaron Fulkerson is a partner at consulting firm Schnake Turnbo Frank.