I somehow wound up on a large number of emails from “leadership gurus.” A common theme appears to be that everyone should strive hard to be a leader. Leadership is the ultimate goal for all and anyone not yearning for this prize has no ambition and will end up an unhappy follower. Leadership is where the money is. These are my interpretations so I can justify the following dissertation since, as usual, I have some conflicting opinions.
I am reminded of an incident a long time ago. A student told me that what he wanted was to be a great bench technician, do his job and then go home to his family. At first, I thought as the gurus propose: “No ambition.” Then, I realized what was meant: “My happiness lies elsewhere.” What a concept! Not everyone wants or needs to be in charge.
On Game of Thrones, the irritated Lord Commander says to John Snow, “Do you want to lead someday?” Snow said “Yes.” The Lord Commander then said, “Then learn how to follow.” This was a profound statement to me. (I am easily impressed.) How can anyone be a leader that has not first learned to follow? Yet, there are very few, if any, followership gurus. To truly understand leadership, one must first learn how to be led. We need to allow others to contribute to our unique skillset by being attentive and adaptable. Great followers inspire great leaders and great leaders inspire great followers.
I am amused by the interview question, “Where do you want to be in five years?” If the reply is not, “In you seat” or some such reply it demonstrates lack of the requisite ambition. Personally, I don’t ever recall asking that question in interviews. I was attempting to fill a position with the best qualified for that position. My position was already filled. I wanted to hear that the person would be the best instructor and that he would ensure to meet and even exceed expectations.
I have a controversial opinion regarding leadership that has caused much discussion with some who believed themselves to be natural-born leaders. Leadership might just be highly situational. What would the results have been if General Patton and General MacArthur had been in each other’s role during World War II? As I write this in the middle of October, current world events will determine how our leaders respond and determine how they will be judged. Different situations require different leadership skills.
Since leadership is a skill, it can be learned. By our training definition, learning is “a relatively permanent change in behavior.” Therefore, leadership is an observable behavior. Knowledge alone is not enough. It is the application of knowledge and experience, applied in specific situations, that determine leadership. Having followers is also a requirement.
Management and leadership are often incorrectly interchanged. Management deals with the completion of tasks in correct fashion while leadership is a process of influencing people toward a greater accomplishment of goals and objectives. A leader must have a great understanding of the goals, objectives and directions that need to be followed. Leadership guru John Maxwell on leadership, “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another.”
This definition applies to followers as well. Leaders are not only found at the top, they are everywhere in an organization and in life. The bench tech from above demonstrated leadership and influence with his statement. His influence on me and others who heard him was profound. He nudged me into accepting that not everyone wants to be at the top and yet everyone influences others, sometimes towards the good and sometimes towards the bad. He inspired me to place this statement at the end of my formal presentations: “Always to leave others better for having known you.” I wish I could remember his name.
So, am I a leader? Of course I am. So are both of you who read this far and those who did not, as well as those who turn the page when they see me on it. My lovely wife, Ruth, says that I am still a leader … of the old people I hang with these days and that I’m a natural. Happy Holidays. •
Manny Roman, CRES, is association business operations manager at Association of Medical Service Providers.
