There are some qualities of leadership that will always remain constant, however, there are also some that must change with the times. The way leaders lead must always evolve based on their environment and what situations they are being put in. Leaders must also be flexible as what may work for one leader, won’t work for another. McFarland gives examples of some old beliefs that must be revised to form new habits. “If I’m the boss, I’m supposed to have all the answers. If I’m the boss, I’m not supposed to make any mistakes” (457). This type of thinking puts leaders on a pedestal and if followers start to believe in this, they begin to idolize these leaders. You need to reinvent and both the organization and the leaders, not just one or the other.
There are six different themes that emerge from this reading. The first is that “leadership is no longer the exclusive domain of the ‘boss at the top'” (458). Leaders are not the only ones in an organization who are responsible for leading. Followers are also given the opportunity and have the obligation to lead as well. The second is that “The new leader must facilitate excellence in others” (458). This reminds me of the transformational leadership we learned in class earlier in the semester. The third is looking for “The distinction between leadership and management” (458). It is important to be able to differentiate between the two as leaders have people who follow them while managers have people who work for them. The fourth looks further into “the newly emerging, sensitive, and humanistic dimension to leadership” (458). There has been a shift recently towards being more empowering and bring the best out of people, getting tied back to the second theme. The fifth is concerned with “the growing need for leaders to take a holistic approach, embracing a wide variety of qualities, skills, and capabilities” (458). Like many occupations, leaders have to be very well-rounded and have many qualities that span across many different fields. The last is “a mastery over change… predicting and redirecting change before it comes up” (458-459). Leaders should be open to change and embrace it, not try to stick to the status quo.
McFarlands article reinforces the importance of effective followership. Having good followers that are critical of their leader, are dedicated to their work, and are independent is especially important as views on leadership are changing and leaders are thought to be more communal and deliberate and less autocratic
I agree. A leader is not one stagnant thing or idea, some qualities will always be important or effective, but the means might change. Other qualities may also emerge or disappear.
I enjoyed how when you wrote about how leaders should be open to change. A leader being able to admit when they are wrong is essential to being a good leader in my opinion, especially with politicians since they’re are supposing to be reflecting the will of who they are representing. Being open minded is also essential to being a good person in general.
I also think that it is important for leaders not to be afraid of making mistakes. Only after a mistake will people learn and it is important that leaders grow and evolve instead of staying stagnant.
I really like your point relating the fact that followers have the responsibility and capacity to lead. The myth that leadership is bosses at the top is an important myth to deconstruct in a world that is struggling with the remnants of institutional and racial bias.
I was interested in their mention of “The distinction between leadership and management” (458). I think the ability to tell the difference and recognize the characteristics that one has and the other does not is important. The relationship between those who choose to follow a leader vs those who work for a management head and are regimentally guided by them is very different and almost dangerous when confused.