Why the definition of leadership doesn't matter
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Here are some definitions of leadership from various sources.
Webster’s Dictionary
"Leader: one who leads. Leadership: the acts of a leader."
Cambridge International Dictionary
"Leadership is the set of characteristics that make a good leader. Leadership is also the position of being a leader."
Warren Bennis
"The new leader ... is one who commits people to action, who coverts followers into leaders, and who may convert leaders into agents of change."
Howard Gardner
"... persons who, by word and/or personal example, markedly influence the behaviors, thoughts and feelings of a significant number of their fellow human beings."
Marcus Buckingham
"The chief responsibility of a leader is to rally people to a better future."
Dwight Eisenhower
"The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."
You probably have more you can add. I have a problem with all of them. They're wonderful for spirited discussion, but they don't help you lead.
Leadership is behavior. Theory doesn't count unless it turns into behavior. Principles don't matter until you incarnate them. If it doesn't find its way into what you say or what you do, it can't be leadership.
Leadership is situational. One size doesn't fit all. What works in one situation may not work in another. Your choices of what you say and do depend on the situation. So discuss the definitions if you want. But if you aspire to leadership, understand that leadership is about actions measured by results in a specific situation. It's not about figuring out the right definition.
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Hi Wally,
Could not agree with you more. People sometimes spend so much time defining leadership that they never actually do any leading.
From my perspective effective leadership is about the person you are and not so much about the tittle you have.
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I absolutely agree that anyone can be a leader, regardless of title or position. What's often missed is that when you are put in a leadership position you become a leader because people follow you. The only question then is whether you'll be a good one or not.
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I certainly agree that leadership behavior is situational. Managers self-attribute ethical and moral leadership traits consistently, but they do not exhibit these character traits in their behavior consistently.
If a leader claims to be compassionate, she will keep claiming to be a compassionate leader....even regarding a wide range of different situations. But, she may not be consistently compassionate. She may exhibit a compassionate leadership style in some types of situations and not in others.
However, leadership behavior is most likely found in an interactive conversation that pulls people toward becoming comfortable with the language of personal responsibility and commitment.
Effective leadership coaching can and does happen on the dance floor of conversation.
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Thanks for sharing those comment, John.
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Great post Wally. Too many people get hung up on words and definitions.
We have oodles of experts on leadership. We don't have nearly enough practitioners.
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Thanks for that comment. I love the last paragraph.
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Wally -
I don't dwell on it, but you may have seen my recent">http://greatleadershipbydan.blogspot.com/2008/07/defining-leadership-go-ahead-try-it-i.html">recent post
where I did attempt to define leadership:
"Leadership is the ability to enable people and organizations to achieve extraordinary results". - McCarthy
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Thanks for the comment, Dan. That's a good comment to add to my list. Readers of this blog should know that Dan's blog is one of the most practically grounded blogs on leadership issues that I know.
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Thanks, Wally! I just wish I could figure out how to leave a link that actually works on your blog!
Try this one: http://greatleadershipbydan.blogspot.com/2008/07/defining-leadership-go-ahead-try-it-i.html
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I agree 1000% with the statement leadership is behavior. This is the reason the "definitions" are important because they describe the types of behavior that distinguish leadership from management. Autocratic managers will never get folks to change their behaviors in ways that make them leaders or change agents. I disagree 1000% however that leadership is situational. Credibility is a leader's greatest resource and capital. Words and actions must match,,,consistently. You model the behavior you expect...consistently. Leaders behavior dictates the cork environment or culture, If you establish a culture based on trust, teamwork and continuous improvement you have to be consistent and credible to maintain it. The situations may differ but the behavior remains the same.
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Hi Dave, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I think we agree, but we're using the word "situational" differently. As I understand you, you're using it the way it's often mis-used in the term "situational ethics." Many writers pervert that concept by claiming it means that there are no standards or core principles. In fact, the original concept was that there was a core concept, love which might demand that "rules" be modified in certain situations. I certainly wouldn't argue against guiding principles or consistency of behavior as a leader. But I agree with Emerson that "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
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Interesting. Perhaps the difference is semantical if any, to me it's more of the difference between the theory and execution. Leadership is indeed behavior. If you view it through he eyes of those you lead consistency is a characteristic they look for and appreciate in a leader. It builds trust and credibility. Situation and circumstance might dictate a deviation or a change in "rules", but if there the leader has built a team culture based on trust, teamwork, and continuous improvement, those changes and deviations can be discussed, resolved, and understood. Communication is essential for getting great results.
In my opinion one of the biggest differences between leaders an managers is that managers rely on their "positional" authority as the source of their "power". Leaders granted or given their authority by those they lead. It's something that is earned not assumed and why consistency as a behavior is critical. Words and actions must consistently match when you're translating the theories of leadership into action.
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Good points, Dave. Thanks for sharing them.
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Thank you Wally for hosting this most excellent forum to share information and learn from.
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Great thoughts on leadership Wally. I shared them with my readers with my other favorite blog picks for the week which can be found here: http://www.maximizepossibility.com/employee_retention/2008/07/the-rainmaker-3.html
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Thanks for the honor, Chris. I love being in good company.
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