Currently I live in Wheeling, WV. How I got here is a long story which has nothing to do with cowardly leadership. Well, in a way it does, kinda. Not how I got here, but how I am still here. But that’s for another discussion.
One leadership lesson has taken me a long time to, well, not learn, but accept. To me, it is so common-sense, so second nature, to want to be a leader. I’ve always enjoyed it, and I’ve always thought that was what everyone aspired to be: the boss. The person in charge, the one who gets to make the decisions. I’ve always thought I was pretty good at it (what person in charge doesn’t think they are pretty good at it?). But a lot of people don’t think that way, and that’s ok.
If you’ve ever taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, you know that there are 16 types of personalities and leadership styles, each of which has pros and cons. Regardless of which you are, it’s difficult to understand how the others function, which is part of the learning aspect of Myers-Briggs- everyone has a place and a role where they will be most successful (A shout-out here to Dr. Mitch Owen, CEO of Mitchen, Inc., who does an outstanding job of MBTI training).
Anyway, I am an ENTJ. I’ve taken MBTI about a half-dozen times, and I’m always an ENTJ. A “soft” E (for extrovert), which means I’m not the life of the party kind of E, but more of a “I’m comfortable having control” kind of E. Anyway, an ENTJ: “is… a natural leader. You use your reasoning ability to control as much of your world as you possibly can. You have respect bordering on reverence for impersonal logic, the unvarnished truth, and clockwork-efficiency planning.” There is a lot more, but you get the idea.
I’m comfortable with leadership and control. I understand there are 15 other type of personality types who have skills and value, but who do not necessarily relish being in a leadership position: artists, creative types, financial/accounting types, introverts who just aren’t comfortable in that setting, etc. Ten Alpha-leaders in an organization means just one thing: chaos. It takes all types to make an organization successful. I understand that and believe that.
I do not understand the person who runs for office, or applies for a department head level job in government, and then doesn’t want to be a leader when they get it. What’s the point? Why go after a position, then not make decisions once you’re there? Marcus Buckingham, writing in The One Thing You Need to Know about Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Personal Success, says: “Great leaders rally people to a better future.”
I think the key word there is not future, or even great. I think it’s rally. Take an action. Make a decision. Why go through the effort of putting yourself in a position of leadership, then not wanting to lead?
To be clear: this isn’t about incompetency. There are countless examples of people in leadership positions who are incompetent. People who make stupid decisions, direct their subordinates in an unprofessional manner, drive their bosses crazy….but these people are leading.
It’s not that Cowardly Leaders make bad decisions- too often, they make no decision. They delegate their authority, strive to please everyone and therefore please no one, say yes to everything. Here’s the thing: All leadership isn’t good leadership.
If you have experienced or seen examples of this at the local level, I’d love to hear from you.
I-2
