Gary Ling, Digital Producer, Data Monetiser, Political Savant, Information Economist, Solution Seller, Business Strategist.
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Leadership: Change Things or Suck it Up!

13/8/2014

6 Comments

 
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The #HBR publishes another one of those inane blog pieces about ‘leadership’- here
http://is.gd/EKjj6w For what it’s worth this time they anchor it around a survey of “332,860 bosses, peers, and subordinates”. There probably aren’t they many good leaders amongst that lot! Other than the personal qualities required to be a good leader, integrity, listen, be smart, etc the most important on this list is: “Connects the group to the outside world”. By doing this a leader anchors them to the reality in which they operate. So, for example, the top one, ‘inspires and motivates others’ is  fine but if the organisation that you and your leader work for has institutional  practices that crush morale – your still screwed. Every needs to get real about their circumstances. When they achieve them they can change them or suck it up! Click here for HBR
 
6 Comments
Roger
14/8/2014 01:58:19

Yes, it's complete tosh. Amazed they got a third of a million people to answer their survey. A small group of 12 year olds could come up with pretty much an identical list, without all the effort. Besides that the graph may well be mathematical garbage too. It claims it is identifying the skills one needs most....but it makes no sense... the percentages for the "most needed skills" add up to about 300%

Reply
Roger
14/8/2014 02:33:59

OK so now I read the article and it asked for the "top four" skills... but I still think it's tosh!

Reply
Gary Ling
14/8/2014 02:36:34

That clinches it...Tosh it is! (You do know we're dissing the Harvard Business Review right? The best management thinkers money can buy...)

Reply
Roger
14/8/2014 02:49:31

Well, yes but maybe the emperor has no clothes. Since when was "displaying high integrity and honesty" a "skill". You're either honest or you ain't. No skill involved. How about some other more basic skills - "basic mathematics" anyone? How come that isn't on the list - it's damned important for a leader IMHO.

Reply
Roger
14/8/2014 02:50:43

You know these surveys are a bit weird. There's a very strong cognitive bias going on. Every one of the 332,860 people surveyed will think they are a good judge of leadership skills. A massive majority will think they are "better than average" leaders themselves. Not a single one will think "There's a 50/50 chance I'm a below average leader myself". So they pick from the weirdly pre-chosen list the things that sound "best". Because they are human. It doesn't mean that the survey is any good. It's not good science and it's not good social science. IMHO. But what do I know? There's a 50/50 chance my own judgement is less than average. ;- )

Reply
Robi
14/8/2014 02:51:47

I think knowing how to share in a honest manner that is respectful is not that hard. I agree though if your not honest and you dont have integrity then your not going to train them. They are attributes of a person not a skill.




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