"Bad Leader" is an Oxymoron

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Salaam and Greetings All,

 

We are already two weeks into the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri celebration. One would think, the excitement has dwindled. Unfortunately, I was proven wrong. The traffic over the weekend was really bad. And the “Open Houses” was probably the cause of people travelling to go to these open houses. CHeckingmy Twitter account for traffic updates tells me, there are still pockets of traffic congestion here and there. I am truly sorry if you are caught in it, when you read this email in the morning.

 

Personally, the term “Open Houses” in itself is an oxymoron. You have to be invited to go. So, what does the “open” actually mean?

 

As for Bad Leadership. I have always have problems with it. I ended explaining it in paragraphs, when one word would do, OXYMORON.

 

To think I studied literature, and read Shakespeare, I would be familiar with that term. Unfortunately, the Law of Diminishing Effect, or “Half Life” does affect knowledge and memory. Especially when it is not used.

 

Bad of me…

 

However, when I came across Mr Veroneau’s acrticle in Linkedin, I felt stupid, to say the least. Leader, or Leadership, is a self-contained word, with intrinsic meaning. Whenever we are asked about what is a Leader, or Leadership, though the explanation is varied, yet the sentiment is fundamentally the same. It is a positively inherent word. Yet, we use Bad Leadership to talk about bad bosses or bad manager, or bad politicians etc. And we use it so frequently, that we don’t even realize it, it is wrong. As they say, Just because everyone does it, doesn’t mean it is right.

 

A Leader is a Leader. And I am sure you can point to someone you know who is a Leader. But why do we call bad bosses, or bad manager, a bad leader.

 

They are not a leader, if they are not behaving in accordance to the words, or behaviors you would describe someone who is a leader.

 

I am not stealing Mr Venoneau’s thunder here. I am just venting my frustration. Sorry Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

Please do enjoy his article below. And do enjoy the week ahead.

 

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Patrick Veroneau, M.S. Organizational Leadership

"Bad Leader" is an Oxymoron

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/patrick-veroneau-m-s-organizational-leadership/9/821/62b?trk=mp-ph-pn

 

When we think of examples of an oxymoron, some that come to mind are “friendly takeover”, “jumbo shrimp” or “lead balloon” to name a few. We often find these terms amusing because they contradict each other. That said, I would suggest that “bad leader” should also be added to the oxymoron list.

Often times we will hear people describe an individual that misbehaves or mistreats those that are under their “leadership” as “bad leaders.” This is a contradiction. When we do this we have done a disservice to the noble ideal that being a leader is meant to hold. Often times we confuse title or status with being a leader.

Again, this could not be more incorrect or more damaging to the definition or status that being a leader is meant to bestow. Just because someone is a CEO of a company or even the head of a country, it does not make them a leader. Their behaviors are what will determine if they are a leader.

The Oxford Dictionary defines lead as, “to show (someone or something) the way to a destination by going in front of or beside them”. This definition would imply an environment where collaboration is fostered as opposed to an environment where compliance is demanded. While both approaches might achieve the desired outcome, only the prior is achieved through leadership behaviors and only the prior approach will prove to be durable.

Too often we grant an individual the title of leader similar to a medal that is given to every player that completes their first season of T-ball. Just because a person holds a position that would imply leadership, that does not make them a leader. More often we find that this anointing of leadership status is more fiction than fact.

When we describe someone as a bad leader, we have granted them a certain status which they have not earned regardless if it is intended to be a criticism of them. In no way are they a leader.

While there are many behaviors that create a leadership environment, there are several that are foundational if one wants to be looked upon as a leader. Those leadership behaviors involve congruency, appreciation, humility, decisiveness, clarity of expectation and collaboration to name a few.

When and individual demonstrates these behaviors, they are often modeling leadership regardless of their actual title. This does not say that a leader does not make mistakes. However, a leader is able to take accountability for their mistakes, commit to not repeating the same mistakes and move forward.

Challenge yourself to avoid labeling someone as a “bad” leader or having "poor" leadership skills. Use other titles such as executive or CEO or head of state in place of an individual that does not display leadership behaviors.

By doing this you will be doing your part to protect the honor and integrity that the title of leader should represent

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http://thots2paper.blogspot.com/

 

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