[seekingleadership]

Hi, everyone, I am still not clear if this is the right sub-forum to post this topic, I don't mind if the admins move it to a more appropriate place.

I just started reading "Blink" (Malcolm Gladwell) today. Not necessarily related to leadership, but Gladwell also wrote "The Tipping Point". Blink seems to have some unique psychological perspectives.

I have been reading several books recently, related to leadership. I would like to share some ideas about emerging ideas about leadership from a psychological and philosophical perspective.

I have been reading some Eastern philosophy in this area: "Art of War" (Sun Tzu), I-Ching, Tao Te Ching. I read "The Prince" (Machiavelli). I am reading a book about leadership in non-profits (I will give the title and author later).

Anyone have any ideas in these areas ? Are there any new ideas about leadership from a psychological perspective ?

I googled "leadership from a psychological perspective." There are many articles on the subject.

[seekingleadership]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

I googled "leadership from a psychological perspective." There are many articles on the subject.

Very good, my new friend, and what say you about this topic ?



( I love the smilies on this forum).

Actually, I do not know what to think. Initially, I wondered how this topic would benefit those in the Community. The administrators, moderators and chat leaders have leadership roles. The rest of us primarily are supporters and responders to questions that are posed.

Leadership is an interesting topic. Whether or not the leaders were consciously aware of it, psychology and philosophy always has played a role. Much has been written about what many believe to be the failure of leadership in the U.S. The National Leadership Index for 2009 from the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government is now out:

http://content.ksg.harvard.edu/leade...413&Itemid=138

Despite an increase in confidence, I remain deeply disappointed and have told leaders so. From that perspective, if you are able to pique our interest by using psychology and philosophy as a means to enhance leadership skills, we all will benefit.

[(JD)]

I think one of the key items that changed in "recent" years is the terminology. Whether the actual actions changed, IDK.
I'm specifically thinking of such as "managing" people.

I do know that both the Girls of the USA and the Boy Scouts of America have recently changed their terminologies when it refers to their trainers ... ahem! facilitators ... and all that goes along with that.

Some places they are not trainings anymore but opportunities for progressing or such.

As for the basics, I think they are the same: lead, follow, or get out of the way.

[Perna]

Never really thought about it; interesting blog:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...dge-leadership

[KathyM]

I never cared for leaders who "managed" people. It may look pretty, but it doesn't get the job done. It looks HILARIOUS on the "battle field."

Do you really need to wear those feathers and bright red coats, yellow ties, Armani suits, march and shoot in formation - tooting your BMW horn all the way? Do employees have to all look alike - jump alike and deliver perfection all at the same time at a moment's notice?

Well, YES.....BUT - It never really works when people are managed through brow-beating, ridicule, humiliation and threats of punishment. The more threats, the more "feisty" the co-workers become. When the "cat" (leader) is away, it becomes a challenge to the "mice" (subjects/co-workers) to see how much fun they can get away with - how little work they can do. They already know they can bust their butt into death (destroying their family) and STILL never be good enough, so why bother? As a result, it pits subjects/co-workers against each other - ways to blackmail a good employee out of the picture so that you can have his/her job....and look good doing it (in order to provide for your family). Businesses, organizations, families, and glee clubs soon fall apart - because everyone is only thinking of themselves - everyone wants to be on top with a big name, regardless of the game.

Enough about "chief executive a-holes."

I used to work for a REAL LEADER. He handpicked his team from the top down - from "big wigs" to "servants." He chose them based on their skill, talent and character. Only those with the strongest hearts were chosen - didn't matter how silly they looked or acted. He trusted them to perform, and they performed. He never had to watch over their shoulders. Some made mistakes, but they quickly learned not to repeat their mistakes.

This man led by example. I've NEVER seen anyone give more of himself.....just ask his wife and kids. It was okay though because they knew exactly where he was and admired the sacrifice he made. They knew they could call him any time - any one of us would be able to run to get the message out to him. If they needed to see him in person, they knew where to go to wait for his return. They were free to wait..and wait...and wait...along with EVERYBODY else, lol.

That was okay too though. The ONLY reason everyone was waiting was because they knew someone else REALLY needed him at that point - i.e., a child was in critical condition, dying, or had just died. If he's late for a meeting, appointment or lunch date.....oh well. There were always plenty of others to turn to "in case of emergency."

This leader made sure we ALL focused on our single goal - healing that baby and doing our very best to save the child. In order to do this, we all needed to work in unison - like a community. We may not have been able to save them all, but the moms, dads, and other relatives knew we gave it our very best shot. They knew how much they cared. We loved each and every one of them as if they were our own.

Needless to say, it was a VERY stressful environment. Like every other place, there were office politics and game playing. It was a thorn in his side, so he got together with another BIG LEADERS and developed a strategy. They had to learn how to do it right - play politics at the Christmas party, play your games out on the fields at the summer gathering, or vice versa. The key, however - EVERYONE was invited. This included all the wives, husbands, children, girlfriends, boyfriends.....even past/present patients and those not-so-secret lovers.

Some worked it out on the dance floor.....some worked it out on the softball field....some just tried to escape by riding ponies in circles or taking long walks in the woods - under everyone's noses.

After all that playing around, the competition was on! It became a personal challenge to do your work faster and better than your best friend.....in order to "please Daddy" (whoever your "daddy" may be).

This leader was NEVER around, but ALWAYS around....trying to find more ways to make us work to serve our patients, lol. When he was gone, we'd SCRAMBLE to get our work done. If we were feeling particularly "feisty," we'd try to second-guess what he wanted from us and have it ready before he got back. We'd be exhausted as hell, but it would be fun to throw paper clips or shoot rubber bands at a friend and challenge them to do better next time, lol.

It often made us a little "slap-happy," but the patients seemed to enjoy the silly antics. Besides, we were able to get serious and focused on a moments notice. We could go all night long - well, some could, lol.

As a rule, I like to think of having ALL strong hearts on a team. The strongest hearts up front - weakest hearts behind. The strongest ones need to do what they do best, but they can become tired and unfocused. That's when they need the weaker hearts to do what they do best - whatever the heck that may be, at whatever level.

It has always worked in my home, work and school environments. Life is hard, painful, horrible, wonderful, exciting, terrifying, explosive, exhilarating - be it at home, work or at school. It makes you laugh, and it makes you cry - usually over the same darn thing. If you're lucky enough to survive it all, you get the chance to look back and say "WOW, that was FUN - did we really do THAT?" It finally gives you bragging rights and precious trophies - you can thump your chest all you like....no one will care, and no one will remember you. lol.

I'm sure it's pretty obvious I'm a little "slap-happy" myself. I'm okay.....really. I just care about a lot of people and have some pretty deep concerns. No biggie. I've always been this way.

I guess this means "once a brat, always a brat" - I certainly give my husband and son a run for their money, lol. I guess they've never heard me "think out loud" before, lol.

Sooooo.....how'd I do on THIS page? Any corrections necessary?

[seekingleadership]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

I googled "leadership from a psychological perspective." There are many articles on the subject.

Actually, I do not know what to think. Initially, I wondered how this topic would benefit those in the Community.

I believe it will benefit people in the community to understand more about leadership. First, we must inculcate leadership in ourselves. What does this mean, we can discuss in some detail. Then there will be some in the community that will choose to be leaders of others. We may want to understand the psychology of leadership. How should leaders behave ? What are the elements of leadership ?

The administrators, moderators and chat leaders have leadership roles. The rest of us primarily are supporters and responders to questions that are posed.

You have a very humble view of your role. Why don't you have a leadership role, just as the mods and chat leaders have ? Supportiveness is a great trait, it does not detract from leadership.

Leadership is an interesting topic. Whether or not the leaders were consciously aware of it, psychology and philosophy always has played a role. Much has been written about what many believe to be the failure of leadership in the U.S. The National Leadership Index for 2009 from the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government is now out:

link JFK School

Very nice link, I will take a closer look when I have more time. The JFK Center is a world class place, so you have found a great resource here.

Despite an increase in confidence, I remain deeply disappointed and have told leaders so. From that perspective, if you are able to pique our interest by using psychology and philosophy as a means to enhance leadership skills, we all will benefit.

I think you might be talking about our national leadership. I am still optimistic there, but that is not the focus of my question. I am referring more to leadership which comes from within.

I will try to pique your interest in the psychology and philosophy of leadership.

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by seekingleadership

First, we must inculcate leadership in ourselves.

We must?

Originally Posted by Shakespeare

On what compulsion must I? Tell me that. (Merch. Venice, Act 4, Scene 1)

Originally Posted by seekingleadership

I will try to pique your interest in the psychology and philosophy of leadership.

Have at it!

Thank you for your post. My interest has been piqued. Perhaps a good starting point would be your definition of leadership?

[seekingleadership]

Originally Posted by _Sky

I think one of the key items that changed in "recent" years is the terminology. Whether the actual actions changed, IDK.

I'm specifically thinking of such as "managing" people.

Hi Sky, it seems like you do not like the terminology of "managing" people. I would say that it sounds somewhat manipulative. But on the other hand, good leadership can be inspiring. It seems to me that good leadership includes showing respect for people and bringing out the best in them. Not always an easy task.

I do know that both the Girls of the USA and the Boy Scouts of America have recently changed their terminologies when it refers to their trainers ... ahem! facilitators ... and all that goes along with that.

I do not think trainers or facilitators are really very good words for leaders.

Some places they are not trainings anymore but opportunities for progressing or such.

Maybe leaders ?

As for the basics, I think they are the same: lead, follow, or get out of the way.

This is really the heart of the matter, what do this things mean. Follow or get out of the way are pretty easy, right ? It is leadership which is really rare and important to understand.

[slowinmi]

Seekingleadership,

I'm not quite sure where you are going with this thread. (identification?, role?, characteristics?)

I have not researched leadership as you have, but have been in a leadership role at my place of employment for several years. One thing that I see in employees with leadership potential is the abilitiy to see "the big picture". Many people only see their immediate surroundings - how things impact them. Very few people can step back and see how it will impact others.

[seekingleadership]

Originally Posted by slowinmi

Seekingleadership,

I'm not quite sure where you are going with this thread. (identification?, role?, characteristics?)

Yes, Slowinmi, all of the above

I have not researched leadership as you have, but have been in a leadership role at my place of employment for several years. One thing that I see in employees with leadership potential is the abilitiy to see "the big picture". Many people only see their immediate surroundings - how things impact them. Very few people can step back and see how it will impact others.

Seeing the big picture is part of leadership. So how does one make sure to act on the big picture ?

[seekingleadership]

Hi again peoples,

I have taken some off from the forum to do some other things, but I am back now to continue our discussion.

So I have been reading some of the Malcolm Gladwell books and I think there is a lot there related to psychology and leadership.

I read "Blink" and now I am reading "Tipping Point".

Can anyone relate these books to ideas around psychology and leadership for me ?

Thanks.

[pachyderm]

I invite you to discuss the psychology of leadership in the "social group" that I started some time ago: Psychology in Everything. We need some more discussion:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/group.php?groupid=43