Are Leaders Born, Made or Appointed?
| posted by Donna KarlinOK, so I might push some buttons here but let's face it, too many people are catapulted into positions of leadership by virtue of being there...already being in an organization, meeting hiring quotas according to gender etc. But are they leaders? And can they lead a staff, an organization successfully?
I agree that leaders can be made and many, put into positions to lead in times of crisis for example show their true colors (to themselves and others) and just fly. Others don't even have managerial skills never mind organizational leadership skills and kill the staff one employee at a time. Retention becomes a myth and people run out the door as fast as they can.
So if you're thinking of promoting a relative just because they're a part of the family and you trust them, or someone from within because it meets your quota, think good and hard at the cost of that move. Statistics are blatant and the cost to your organization is huge!
For example, for people who make $150,000 a year, the financial expense for wasting time due to lack of leadership, absenses, people leaving and having to be replaced etc. runs in the range of $25,350. No, that's not per year, it's per month! If there are multiple cases like this, well, you get the picture.
Choose your leaders wisely. Make sure they're a good fit not only for the organization but its internal culture. I share this criteria with my clients when they're looking to fill leading positions and ask them "Which category is each person (who is competing for the job) in?
1. Will the staff be dependent on that person to get the job done (inter-dependent)? 2. Will the staff develop by working with that leader (inter-developmental)? or 3. Will the relationship between staff and this leader be inter-magical? i.e. the energy and passion within the organization will be tangible. People will want to work there and with this individual because they know they'll fly and will fight to work with this person.
Who do you want in your organization? Someone who creates the inter-magical or someone who's convenient?
Donna Karlin • Executive and Political Shadow Coach™ • Ottawa, Canada • donnakarlin@abetterperspective.com •www.abetterperspective.com
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Recent Comments | 4 Total
January 4, 2007 at 1:59pm
Joe RaaschHi Donna,
It is a bit of a conundrum. I see three types of leaders getting promoted:
Technical, Get-it-done, and Promoter.
Each has value - there are just variable ways companies need to approach these based on training, assessment, or event. It is really situational leadership for the company.
The utopian state is that inter-magic!
Best,
Joe Raasch
www.happyburroblog.com
January 5, 2007 at 10:15am
Phil Clark, Clark & AssociatesAll leaders are born, everyone has a chance to be a leader, and leadership can be taught. The key is when leadership opportunities arise...do we take them. In spite of the hundreds of books and thousands of courses on leadership, it comes down to one thing...choice. That choice centers a definition of leadership I developed many years ago. Leadership is enhancing the worth of others so they can make sound decisions. As a leader do you enhance the worth of others? Do you teach them and then LET them make decisions? If you are making all the decisions...you're not leading. If you are telling people what to do...you're not leading. If you can't walk away from a project or take a vacation with every confidence...you're not leading.
January 5, 2007 at 10:30am
Donna KarlinThese are great comments. Choice, definitely. Helping others achieve their level of excellence, well that's what it's all about. And if you need your finger in every pie, can't go away because "the place will fall apart without you" then that's not leadership from any perspective.
When leaders micromanage they are telling their staff they're not good enough, nothing they do is good enough and demoralize them. But that's a whole other post!
The question I'd ask that leader is "What is your legacy? Are you growing other leaders or want to be the one and only?"
January 9, 2007 at 9:42am
Lisa RosendahlYes, I definitely agree. There is a true, visible difference in effectiveness, support, and value in those leaders who grow others. Those who can find and develop potential in others rise to the top in my mind. We have too many "one and only's" and I would place them in the ranks of managers rather than actual leaders.
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