Comments on: What is a Leader?

By: John Williams

John Williams — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:45:14 +0000

Ummmm It Seem Good!

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:30:59 +0000

Does a leader drive the situation or does the situation drive the leader?

By: Eric D. Brown

Eric D. Brown — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:20:38 +0000

@consultski – RE: What is a Leader http://tr.im/mEWr. You missed the point…I never said results weren’t important. How you get them is.

By: John

John — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:33:06 +0000

Excellent discussion Eric. I've long felt that leadership and being the 'manager' of the group are two very different beings. I believe leadership is exhibited at all levels of the organization, and many times, as you pointed out in your post, the supposed formal leaders are really not that at all. Rather, they are managers looking to get to the next level, irregardless of what the folks below them are doing – this behavior is opposite of true leadership. I look at leaders as my "go-to" people. They're the ones we can go to in a critical situation to lead through the obstacles, understand what needs to get done, lay out the strategy and then contribute/oversee the execution of the plan. In my opinion, this characteristic can be developed to some degree, but I do believe that some folks have an innate drive (whatever their level) to rise to this kind of calling naturally. Managers have formal power, but leaders possess an attractive pull on folks who believe in their demonstrated abilities.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:25:05 +0000

Very interesting post, I love finding a good quality blog thats not full of rubbish. I would love to do a link exchange.

By: Glenn Whitfield

Glenn Whitfield — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:42:48 +0000

RT @ericdbrown: New blog post: What is a Leader? http://bit.ly/rVWDG

By: Eric D. Brown

Eric D. Brown — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:31:36 +0000

New blog post: What is a Leader? http://bit.ly/rVWDG

By: Eric D. Brown

Eric D. Brown — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:46:47 +0000

Thanks Glenn.

You are absolutely correct. Our society does reward this type of activity. I'd submit that this type of activity is exactly why we are in the economic crisis we are in today…people in leadership roles haven't really cared about the outcome of their actions. Their focus was (and is?) on what they can do for their pocketbook and their image.

There are some great leaders out there but you rarely hear of them…I wish that wasn't the case.

By: Glenn Whitfield

Glenn Whitfield — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:42:32 +0000

Eric,

Great article! Sad but so true, that many who think they are leaders are only concerned with how they can get to the next level, and being able to take credit for "leading" the group. What is sad is that our society rewards this behavior – the quiet, solid leader who is "making all the right moves", but doesn't stand up and say, "look at me!" gets cast aside.

These leaders are out there, but most people don't know about them.