Let's Adopt: Thoughts on leadership

“The function of leaders is to produce more leaders, not more followers.”

Political activist, environmentalist, human rights advocate and one time independent US presidential candidate Ralph Nader couldn’t have expressed it better.

Through our many contacts with some of the largest and other not so large companies we have come across various types of leadership models.

1.    Heavy Leadership, which rests “heavy” on the shoulders of those effected by the leader. Also known as “Autocratic Leadership”, this style of leadership allows only one voice in an establishment, his/her own. Can be pretty de-motivational or extremely motivational depending on the mood of the “Leader”. All in all, pretty torturous for an independent soul.

2.    Light Leadership, which is not quite there really. It is also know as “Laissez faire Leadership”. Works great in advertising agencies and companies such as Google where creativity and freedom are extremely important. For people with lesser self-motivation life can be a bit scary under such a leadership. Still, having to make your own decisions and suffering the consequences builds character and career.

3.    Paternal/Maternal Leadership where the kids (employees) are allowed to have their opinions but the leader has the ultimate say in everything they do. It is a cozy place to be, for as long as you please the boss. If you step out of line, you’ll be in trouble.

Ataturk, teaching the new alphabet

4.    Democratic Leadership! And I don’t have to describe the heavenly atmosphere enjoyed through such an experience. Heaven, only for those who are worthy of heaven, though. Even in democracies the laws of Darwin works. But the best thing is, in democracies one is free and able to choose one’s own direction.

5.    And, finally, Leadership that produces Leaders. I call it Fertile Leadership. A “fertile” leader is one who makes it possible for those walking with her/him go on a journey of learning, sharing, nurturing, experience, achievement, involvement, engagement, innovation, creation, adventure, fun… In the end, without even realizing, you come out a leader.

Ralph Nader had it right: A leadership that produces leaders, not followers…

Think about what type of leadership you present, or is presented to you. Are you happy with it? Is it time to consider change?