In search of a word…

An article by Dr. Daryl Watkins     Comments Off

Shared leadership, flow, alignment, synergy, balance, collaboration… we are trying to think of a word that expresses what we think is necessary. But, the word just won’t come. And so, the thought is stifled, stunted. The question at issue is what is wrong with our views of leadership? Even though the formal study of leadership is only about a century old, there have been thousands of theories and models of what makes for effective leadership. They all sound good, to an extent; and, they all fall short of the mark.

• We don’t know exactly how to be or what to say or do to be 100 percent certain of getting things done through other people. People have agency. That means that people have a fundamental desire to determine their own actions.
• At the base level, how is leadership really different from manipulation? Is it a matter of intention? If I’m working towards the organizational purpose, I am leading… but, if I’m working towards my own or some other purpose, I am manipulating? How do organizational members tell the difference and what is the appropriate action when lines are crossed?
• Why do we spend so much of our time talking about the leader at the top of the hierarchy? Most leadership conversations have focused around the characteristics, traits, behaviors, abilities, or actions of an individual. Everyone else is a follower. Does that make sense?

Here is what I think:

The only way an organization truly reaches its potential is when every member of the unit reaches his or her potential. That takes granular leadership… leadership at every level of the organization, down to each individual. What does that mean and what are the implications?

Granular leadership means that every single person enrolls in the vision, understands the mission, is living the values, and understands his or her unique role in accomplishing the mission. Really, it means that everyone is fired up about the vision and jumps out of bed each morning to accomplish the mission. And, it means that each person acts with integrity to implement the organizational goals and strategies.

Back to the search for a word – I need a word to describe what I am thinking here. Something catchy (and new) that encompasses the ideals above; that leadership has to be a shared endeavor to uphold democratic values and honor personal agency. Without that one word, I have to retell the whole story about what is wrong with the current words.

Do you have a word that can describe what I am thinking?

Has leadership run its course?

Are we done talking about leadership?

Are you fired up to get to it every morning because you are so excited about where your organization is going?