February 11, 2014

Does a Good Leader Have To Be Tough?.

Quote.

When your mind and heart are truly open abundance will flow to you effortlessly and easily.

In modern business and government, leaders are expected to behave in a peculiar way. Success depends on adopting the model of warfare.

To describe someone as tough, ruthless, a winner in the battle for supremacy – these are compliments. We've become used to toughness as a desirable attribute for success. What's peculiar about this is that the same warriors, if they are normal people, don't apply the war model to their personal life. "I love you, Daddy, because you're so ruthless with me" isn't something a young child would say.

I realize that there are successful people – traditionally men – who exude toughness in every aspect of their lives. But the real question is whether toughness actually produces success or whether the war model is actually ineffective. Do you have to make yourself tough if you want to be a leader? Each of us has natural tendencies that we can build upon or avoid – the choice is ours.

Here are the positives and negatives of a tough leadership style, which are well worth considering in your own career path.

Positives:

Toughness provides sharp focus.

You quickly know who is an ally and who is an enemy/rival.

You can use intimidation as a competitive tactic.

If people fear you, they will respect you.

Weaker people will submit to your will.

Time isn't wasted making friends – what counts are results.

You will be labeled a winner in the eyes of other warrior types.

You won't have a guilty conscience about hurting others – this is war, after all.

Negatives:

Other warriors will gun for you.

Loyalty based on intimidation can't be trusted.

Setbacks will be labeled as defeats.

Tough minds are generally closed minds.

Constant vigilance is called for, since everyone is a potential enemy.

The lack of friends eliminates the possibility for personal connections.

Tough leadership generally thrives only in an atmosphere of crisis.

There's a long tradition of ignoring the downside of toughness and overvaluing the upside. Notoriously tough generals like Patton were not as effective in WW II as a conciliator like Eisenhower, for example. The attitude of "you're either for me or against me" that is the code of tough leaders is quickly interpreted by others as "This is all about me," and that is the opposite of how good leadership works. Good leadership is about fulfilling the needs of those you manage and oversee.

The bottom line, however, is whether you view life – and business, which is part of life – as a battle. Many people do. They deeply believe that success requires constant struggle against the odds. There is little joy in such a worldview; at its worst, it is soul-killing. As you consider what kind of leader to become, it's valuable to know that there are workable alternatives to toughness – not the opposite, which is to be soft. An entirely different model takes you out of the hard-soft, tough-weak scheme.

The model I have in mind breaks needs down into a hierarchy, where the leader examines the kind of need the situation presents and then adapts the tactics that fit that need. There are seven basic needs a leader must confront.

1. Safety and security. When people don't feel safe, your tactic should focus of reassurance, providing security, pushing back against threats, and bringing a dangerous crisis to a safe conclusion.

2. Achievement and accomplishment. When people crave material success, your tactic should focus on rewards for good work, effective competition, and providing an avenue to personal success.

3. Community and cooperation. When success depends upon a group effort, your tactic should focus on loyalty, forming alliances, establishing esprit de corps, and creating a work atmosphere where every member can make a contribution.

4. Being understood and valued. When people are being asked to push to the limit, your tactic should focus on appreciation, bonding at the personal level, showing that you care ,understand, and listen.

5. Creativity and discovery. When a situation calls for creative breakthroughs, your tactic should focus on giving everyone free time and an open space, tearing down barriers between workers and managers, and opening the door to many viewpoints and approaches.

6. Inspiration and values. When people need to feel inspired by the challenges that lie ahead, you can't adopt a tactic. Inspiration comes by living the values you preach, making yourself a beacon of light for others to admire and follow.

7. Higher purpose and enlightenment. Finally, there is the deep need to feel an allegiance to God or a spiritual goal that will bring fulfillment to the soul. You can't plan in advance to fill this need. If you are called on, there will be a transformation within yourself.

In this model of leadership, toughness is only one of many qualities that a leader must possess. No one can expect to be a universal leader; situations change, and when they do, specific leaders rise to meet the challenge. But you will hold an enormous advantage if you have seen the whole landscape. Life is unpredictable, and chaining yourself to toughness as your only response is a narrow strategy, one that may succeed in a crisis while failing miserably in many other areas.

Published by Linkedin

Write Your Comment

0 comments
  1. Luc G.

    I love the idea shared in the post, and the pro and con comparison for toughness. I discovered in my own practice that spreading kindness around us is even more difficult than being tough, but it is 100 times more effective for everyone...thus for us too.

  2. Lydia

    Leadership style should be a function of your goal and context. Without that perspective, your success is not a given.

  3. Ron Greenstein

    This subject and Deepak`s observations about it remind me of a favorite movie titled "A Bronx Tale." The following is some quotes and description found at a Yahoo site. I hope it inspires some to see the movie. When Calogero refers to working men as suckers, Lorenzo responds: "It don`t take much strength to pull a trigger, but try to get up every morning day after day and work for a living...The working man is the tough guy." Lorenzo and Sonny both serve as mentor figures and frequently fight over the correct way to guide Calogero. This ongoing conflict reshapes Calogero`s growth throughout the movie, showing the flaws in each man`s logic and how he expresses toughness. While Lorenzo exhibits a degree of fearfulness toward Sonny, he fearlessly confronts the mob boss when it comes to safeguarding his son. On the other hand, Sonny outwardly shows toughness and confidence but does so with a pack of thugs at his side to settle conflicts. The dynamics of Sonny`s power are further explored in a memorable quote derived from Machiavelli`s famous treatise, "The Prince." When Calogero asks if it`s better to be loved or feared, Sonny says: "Fear lasts longer than love...It`s fear that keeps them loyal to me. But the trick is not to be hated." http://voices.yahoo.com/lessons-neighborhood-mobster-famous-quotes-12112580.html

Show
More Comments
How AI Can Elevate Spiritual Intelligence and Personal Well-Being
September 17, 2024
Scroll Up