What Does Leadership Look Like?
Written by Jerry Roberts. Follow me on Twitter.
Leadership, Motivation
photo by chrisbb@prodigy.net
What does leadership look like?
Susan Mazza recently asked that question in her blog, Random Acts of Leadership. In seeking the best definition of leadership, she concluded that “it does not exist.”
So again, what does leadership look like?
We all have our own view
For me, leadership is a beauty contest.
If a large group of people view such an event (I swear I would only watch for the question-answer session), both males and females in attendance, you’ll invariably get a wide range of opinions over who should win. Why? Because…(drumroll please)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Just like leadership.
What motivates you might never get me off my seat, and vice-versa.
Is it in our psychological DNA?
In my adult life I’ve become acquainted with a couple of sets of twins. Same parents, same lifestyle, same everything. But they were so different when it came to attitudes in business, politics, entertainment, food, and just about everything else — it was nearly bizarre.
I shrugged it off as differences in “psychological DNA,” which I just learned is not a widely used term (only about 400 such hits in a Google search), but maybe it should be.
Maybe we’re programmed to receive certain messages and reject others.
And maybe that’s a copout to cover my inability to reach certain people.
Defining leadership
Mazza quoted University of Southern California professor Warren Bennis as providing more than 850 definitions of leadership. In reality, Bennis’ number may be a little short. There are 6 billion+ people on the planet, therefore that many potential interpretations of leadership.
This is why Mazza’s entire concept — random acts of leadership — needs to be embraced. Leadership is personal.
Mark Sanborn’s book, You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader, also carries this message. Everyone can lead, and at any time.
I love John Maxwell’s quote, “The number one reason to be a leader is to create more leaders.”
So we believe all this — but what do we do now?
What leaders must do is share their leadership. Not just the wisdom, but also the responsibility.
We should give everybody a crack at being the lead dog. Otherwise, as the oft-used quote says, “The view never changes.”
And if that view never changes, why should we expect people to change…and grow?
It could be something as simple as planning a company party, or a small project that has been neglected. We all have such opportunities. Assigning them to people who have never led may result in a few bumped shins, but could also uncover some natural leadership qualities that no one knew existed.
I think that’s worth the risk.
What does leadership look like?
I’m not sure but I think I see it staring back at me, waiting for me to provide a legitimate reason to follow.
Or the courage to step aside and give others a chance to spread their wings.
Have an opinion? I’d like to see it.

If you like this post please consider subscribing to our RSS/Email feed (on the menu bar) or following us on Twitter.





One Comment
Susan Mazza
Thanks for the collaborative thinking about leadership and how to cause it to expand.
Your point that “What leaders must do is share their leadership. Not just the wisdom, but also the responsibility.” is so important. If we limit your perception of people to what they are doing now we will never find out what they are capable of. And as you aptly point out - maybe it is time to ask yourself if you have the courage to step aside.
Leave a reply