I just read a short piece in Forbes Magazine titled Four Styles of Leadership. In it the author, Rich Karlgaard, places leadership styles into the following categories: visionary, empathetic, humble servitude, and moral/ethical.
He describes each style by providing examples of leaders who exhibit those characteristic leadership traits. For example, he uses Steve Jobs as an example of visionary leadership, and states that "Empathetic leadership under founder Herb Kelleher and current CEO Gary Kelly is the reason that Southwest Airlines ( LUV - news - people ) even today has some of the happiest flight attendants in the skies."
The descriptions are useful as a way to inform a strategic mindset, however, I don't particularly find his categorization of "styles" accurate. Take Herb Kelleher. Sure, he was an empathetic leader. But he was also a commercial aviation visionary who demonstrated humble servitude by focusing relentlessly on the needs of people.
Are there "styles" of leadership? Certainly, as an approach of managing tasks and motivating people; e.g. authoritarian, democratic, etc. But there is only one style when it comes to strategic direction, and it encompasses all four of Karlgaard's styles:
1. Visionary - Understand the desires of your market and strategically orchestrate a differentiated bundle of value, and a value-enhancing organizational mindset, to continuously appeal to their changing desires;
2. Empathetic - Truly care about people and their changing circumstances;
3. Humble servitude - Roll up your sleeves, work with and for your employees, customers, and partners, and listen and respond to their concerns; and
4. Moral/Ethical - Take a stand and do the right thing. Strive to make a difference in the world, and never compromise on your most deeply held beliefs.
Is it possible to ignore one or two of those traits and still succeed as a leader in today's rapidly evolving marketplace? I doubt it. But folks still try. Perhaps that's why the average tenure of CEOs continues to drop.
Posted October 26, 2009
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Tom is timely, thought provoking and all about the new brand vision packaged as a Seinfeld stand up. I went to school on his ideas.
Jeff Taylor, Founder, Monster.com and CEO, Eons.
When Tom Asacker writes, I read. Opportunity Screams is the right message for the right time.
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Tom, I think this is one of the most insightful posts you've ever made. You got me at items number 2 and 3. I believe they are the foundations of being a great leader.
Posted by: Strategic Growth Advisors | October 27, 2009 at 02:23 AM
Forbes tells only the nice side of the story. Unfortunately, there are also some leaders around, whose vision is short term focused, management is by fear and stress, and sometimes with a nice severance package that allows them to leave the boat with a big check that is neither humble nor moral...
Posted by: cb | October 28, 2009 at 12:55 AM
Tom, is'nt that where every model lacks? Every model is basically invented and used by people (not coincedentally men) to divert the complexity of life. Take Maslow: is there any stage in one development where you're not bothered will all 5 needs? You're right about one thing; in this timeframe everything comes easily together. But in fact that's no originate development, but a technical one that delivers a new demand for a new set of human skills.
In other words: we ought to stop simplifying the complex society to try and dominate it. Better start trusting on complex social collabaration possible by innovation.
It takes a billion leaders today! ;-)
Posted by: Evert Jan | October 28, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Thanks for the comments. And I agree with cb and Evert. I do believe that there are many self-centered, short-term obsessed leaders in the world. I also agree that models are invented to "divert from the complexity of life." However, without models to help guide our behavior, we'd all be like Whirling Dervishes -- which may be a path to spiritual enlightenment, but is certainly not a path to marketplace success. :)
Posted by: Tom Asacker | October 29, 2009 at 10:32 AM