Leadership in the Western World
"The Leadership Dynamic" by Harry Reeder III.
Only just started reading this, but it's fascinating. Take what you want from it, but you cannot deny the punchy, direct and totally honest observation of the Leaders in the early 21st century. They are, by the way, a by-product of the late 20th century when the Western World embraced self-esteem, self-sastisfaction, self-centeredness, self-infatuation, self-preservation, self-promotion, and selfishness. Regardless of what any leader says, as long as they're OK, then things are fine. We lost the focus. We lost the perspective. We lost the central glue stick that holds everyone and everything together.
For example, how many times were sports or marching band competitions held on a Sunday morning? In the 1950s - NONE. Why? Nobody would turn up, including half the team. Now, because we are so wrapped up in self and boosting our kids' self-worth, nobody bats an eyelid as to when there's a game or a comp or a parade. If the kids are needed somewhere, EVERYTHING else goes to pot. Nobody is teaching them family commitment, focus, and rest! No more is there a 'family day'. No more is there a desire to be a family - hence more divorce than not.
So, what's wrong?
One thing is that leaders look after themselves. What's in it for them? How can "I" make things better? How do "I" bring in the results. What MBAs COMPLETELY forget to teach - possibly on purpose - is that leaders should be facilitators. Leaders should serve. Leaders should be running around making sure everyone has what they need to get things done! Don't agree? Fine. In my limited experience in the corporate, teaching, and small business worlds, I happen to think Reeder has it spot on.
What needs to be done?
Our leaders - who should be promoted from all walks of life into all sorts of different walks of life - should basically define what a leader is in their organization, develop leaders from within their organizations, and then deploy those leaders out into the world. That's it. Leaders must mentor, motivate, & manage more leaders. Conductors must encourage their players to become leaders of their own ensembles & teaching studios. Pilots should lead their teams to become leaders of aircraft and service (especially inflight food). Athletes should lead their fans into taking responsibility for their own healthy diet and exercise regime. Leaders should create leaders. By doing that, Leaders end up serving others instead of focusing on the self. By doing that, workers are encouraged to maintain a servant persepctive to make sure others are served properly - both internally and externally. By doing that, customers will experience an effective process and buy more. By doing that, everyone wins.
There. That's enough.
Be a REAL leader. Build more leaders, and forget about chasing after wealth for yourself. The riches will come and you'll barely notice.
Only just started reading this, but it's fascinating. Take what you want from it, but you cannot deny the punchy, direct and totally honest observation of the Leaders in the early 21st century. They are, by the way, a by-product of the late 20th century when the Western World embraced self-esteem, self-sastisfaction, self-centeredness, self-infatuation, self-preservation, self-promotion, and selfishness. Regardless of what any leader says, as long as they're OK, then things are fine. We lost the focus. We lost the perspective. We lost the central glue stick that holds everyone and everything together.
For example, how many times were sports or marching band competitions held on a Sunday morning? In the 1950s - NONE. Why? Nobody would turn up, including half the team. Now, because we are so wrapped up in self and boosting our kids' self-worth, nobody bats an eyelid as to when there's a game or a comp or a parade. If the kids are needed somewhere, EVERYTHING else goes to pot. Nobody is teaching them family commitment, focus, and rest! No more is there a 'family day'. No more is there a desire to be a family - hence more divorce than not.
So, what's wrong?
One thing is that leaders look after themselves. What's in it for them? How can "I" make things better? How do "I" bring in the results. What MBAs COMPLETELY forget to teach - possibly on purpose - is that leaders should be facilitators. Leaders should serve. Leaders should be running around making sure everyone has what they need to get things done! Don't agree? Fine. In my limited experience in the corporate, teaching, and small business worlds, I happen to think Reeder has it spot on.
What needs to be done?
Our leaders - who should be promoted from all walks of life into all sorts of different walks of life - should basically define what a leader is in their organization, develop leaders from within their organizations, and then deploy those leaders out into the world. That's it. Leaders must mentor, motivate, & manage more leaders. Conductors must encourage their players to become leaders of their own ensembles & teaching studios. Pilots should lead their teams to become leaders of aircraft and service (especially inflight food). Athletes should lead their fans into taking responsibility for their own healthy diet and exercise regime. Leaders should create leaders. By doing that, Leaders end up serving others instead of focusing on the self. By doing that, workers are encouraged to maintain a servant persepctive to make sure others are served properly - both internally and externally. By doing that, customers will experience an effective process and buy more. By doing that, everyone wins.
There. That's enough.
Be a REAL leader. Build more leaders, and forget about chasing after wealth for yourself. The riches will come and you'll barely notice.
Labels: Career, inspirational
posted by Stephen P Brown at
12:30 AM
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