What makes a good leader?
Rather a subjective question this morning Bloganuary.
Good leaders are often those whose leadership is the result of organic growth rather than ambition. I prefer people who lead with considered opinions rather than certainty. I like a leader with a sense of their own self worth without an over inflated ego. I prefer appropriate action over ” talking the talk” I prefer time limited leadership. 3 years is about right. If things are all going wonderfully another 3 years can be granted if things are not quite so tickety-boo or the leader feels they have done enough then a change can be made with no loss of face.
My magpie mind has done me no good with regard to Leadership. I was about 12 when the quote below floated into my head like a dandelion seed and has stayed there ever since.
Goodness knows why this lodged in my adolescent mind. It has stuck with me and I have judged myself and others by this one sentence. Sadly this sentence is painfully true in many people who are put into or find themselves in leadership positions.
Beauty, sexual availability and physical strength, wealth and self-esteem, as well as suitability can all forge a path towards leadership. But whatever path gets you there the risk of being corrupted by the power is very real. Power is intoxicating to many. It really doesn’t matter if a leader is running a team of two other burger flippers or a country with nuclear weapons or anything in between the risk of corruption is always there.
So to answer the question. “What makes a good leader?”
In my somewhat skewed opinion. Knowledge, skill, humanity and collaboration. The ability to listen more than talk and to make appropriate decisions at the right time. To flex and pivot as circumstances change. A sense of personal style with a good moral compass in the same pocket as a smartphone. The moral compass should be used more often than the phone.
Which of these cows would you choose as the leader?
They are a nod to the history of the buildings they are near.
The eager pink one is heading off in the direction of the abattoir. Not for me.
The green one needs lunch immediately. Not for me.
The orange one is ruminating, pondering the situation. Orange Cow you are my kind of woman.
Freedom in the shape of a tunnel is just a few steps away.
The path will be rocky.
But if she leads them in the right direction there will be wild flowers and lush grass to nibble at. I just hope her power is not corrupted along the way.
theoldmortuary.design 
so interesting, and I do believe that lord acton was correct. just look at the state of political leaders around the world in the current moment. I recently was thinking about this, with regard to the headmaster of the school where I teach. there have been 2 instances in the last few weeks, where she gave me a decision that impacted me. each time, her decision was based on ‘the rules’ and all I could think of was that she needs to place less importance on the rules and instead make decisions based on ‘humanity.’ there really was an easy way to make both situations work in spite of ‘the rules’ , without causing any upset, and yet, she chose not to consider any options. I am all in for the orange cow.
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It’s a weird thing but I have floated into management or leadership roles not sought them. Always challenged as not decisive enough by egotists. I have left a few positions because it was demanded that I followed organisational rules rather than my organic humanist ways. ” I am always surprised you didn’t go further/ seek more promotion” has been a constant in my annual reviews with egotists. The rules are for lesser people that don’t have a moral compass that override corruption.
Your Headmaster shot down in one. I bet she would have reacted differently if you were younger and subservient. The wise older woman is easily ignored because she is a threat to their flimsy hold on Leadership. Imposter Syndrome is within us all by ignoring your wisdom she is shutting the lid on hers.
There is a tragic case of rules and dreadful leadership in Britain at the moment involving our government, a foreign company and ‘ normal’ working people. Google The Scandal of the Post Office. It is a dreadful case of people following the rules, protecting the brand and utterly inhumane managers.
The Guardian writes about it well.
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