For those of us “recovering” from a state of family alienation, leadership is a word that triggers feelings of confusion, frustration and anger. As children we observed parents who were likely to be poor leaders. Because of that example, as adults we tolerated our spouses who were narcissistic bullies. And now we may experience the “run around” in the legal system as we extricate ourselves from unhealthy situation.
What is good leadership? Does it exist?
Because of my personal experiences, I have been a student of leadership since childhood. There’s a lot to be said about the subject.
I was re-reading the wonderful book “David and Goliath” by Malcom Gladwell recently. In that book, he explains where leadership excels and when it fails.
In a nutshell, all leadership is based on three things:
- Legitimacy – the “authority” needs to be recognized and accepted by the population it serves. Parents become legitimate because as an outcome of birth, the President in the US is elected, spouses are in a “marital contract” and lawyers, judges etc. are appointed or hired.
- Fair – the actions of the leader must be perceived as “fair” to the group they serve. People must sense they are being given even-handed treatment.
- Predictability – There’s got to be a pattern of behavior, choices in the style of the leader that that people count. People build lives, business around certain expectations, so a good leader creates healthy balance.
The way the Empowered Expressive You can find meaning in this leadership trio is to consider your own leadership style.
Where are you a recognized leader, beginning with yourself?
Are you being fair, being with yourself?
Are you creating healthy predictability for yourself?
Often, the smallest tweaks in our own behavior may yield stunning results.
Let that brew awhile. We’ll ponder this more in the future issues.
Until then,
Be the Empowered Essential You,
SusanJoy
SusanJoy Grieco
