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The Modern Leader?

I heard something interesting today, and would like to “muse” about the modern leader.

It seems that current corporate leadership thinking is moving right along with the concept of heroes in terms of its treatment of leaders. Remember the definition of a “hero”? The strong, silent type; riding into town, killing the bad guys and riding off into the sunset?

Well, the new hero would ride in, network with the people, and empower them to take positive action to eliminate or maybe mitigate the threat (not bad guys, threat) and then ride off into the sunset with a forwarding address in case they wanted to communicate.

It seems that the modern leader is no longer the commanding presence, but a collaborative one. Traits like

Collaboration
Influence
Flexibility
Inspiration

Now take precedence as opposed to the older, more hierarchical leadership roles. In my child’s mind, the leader shouts “Follow me!” and they follow. How does the modern leader to it?

Will the modern leader shout? “Follow me!” seems like its all about you. Shame on you. So, the modern leader, in a collaborative, flexible, inspirational kind of way, tells everyone to get in line, hold hands and “… let’s move forward together.”

Yeah, right.

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Calvin Warr

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3 responses to “The Modern Leader?”

  1. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    Interesting take on the modern leader. Thanks for the read.

    Reply
  2. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Hmm… I think that the old-fashioned shouting leader was not really a leader, but rather someone who was given leadership responsibilities that they could not carry out unless they relied on their authority to do so.

    A true leader has no need of authority to get people to follow.

    What you describe as a modern leader more closely fits what a true leader is (and really, has always been).

    Reply
  3. Calvin Warr Avatar
    Calvin Warr

    Sometimes, I feel that leaders are hiding behind “consensus building” and “collaborative group work”, neglecting the fact that “the buck stops here”. I am not hot about the abusive leader, shouting and oppressing. However, I do feel that the one who hides behind his people are worse. I agree, Laura, the modern leader inspires. But I think you miss the point about “authority”. There is always authority in leadership, to deny that is to also deny responsibility. All the trappings of leadership with non of the responsibilities is disgusting. If a leader makes a mistake, and says “the group decided”, I would tip him into the sea.

    Reply

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