Questioning the Evolution of Leadership

Note: My dad reads this blog religiously, so he probably deserves a quick heads up when a post is somewhat centered around him. So Wes, thanks for inspiring me. Hope you enjoy it.

So my most recent assignment in my Organizational Leadership seminar was to read a certain book on leadership (Leading Change by John P. Kotter) and critique it based on modern applicability. The book was written in 1996. For my purposes, this was a good read. It forced me to identify strategies that are outdated versus those that have stood the test. (Of time, that is.) For someone searching for leadership advice…I’d have to say it probably isn’t the best read. Either way…

So I was telling my dad about the book and my assignment yesterday. As I understand it, my dad had some great success in managing organizations. These days, of course, he lives the good life, playing golf and managing my finances (rather than the finances of a big corporation). I could see him being a fantastic leader and manager in corporate treasury. I’d be lucky to work for someone like him.

Now that I’m done flattering my dad (who will undoubtedly be the first one to read this post) we can move on. He said something in response that really got me thinking. “Well, I mean. It’s probably still applicable right? Leadership hasn’t changed that much in the past 15 years.” Wait what? No! Things are always changing! Huge strides have been made! Don’t undermine my constant study of innovative leadership strategy, Wes! “Well…I mean you still focus on things like team work right? And treating the manager like a teammate rather than a dictator, right? It’s not that different…” So of course, I got all puffed up and flustered, ready to expel that statement with recent research and empirical studies and the like, but all I came up with was: “No…well…I mean yeah but…no it’s totally different…”

I didn’t know what to say. My dad had stumped me yet again. I knew that it was different. I know leadership and management strategy has evolved, especially since Wes Mayland was running shit (back in the golden days of the 70s and 80s). But how could I communicate this? How could I prove to this naysayer that leadership is no longer something that is forced upon employess, but rather embraced by entire organizations as a means of internal and external development?

And, if we’re going in that direction, if I can’t communicate it, is it real? Has management really evolved? We still have corporations in financial ruin because of inept managers. We still have leaders making terrible decisions and running their companies into the ground because of self-serving efforts. So what’s different? Is it that we’re now aware of these misgivings, but it is only the brilliant theorists and strategists that know how to fix it? Why aren’t companies changing? We know what to do, but no one is doing it. (With some inspirational exceptions, of course) I mean, really–At the ripe age of 22, with only a minor brush of experience with a major corporation, I know how to fix leadership transgressions. Granted, I may be a natural leadership prodigy, but still.

How are we supposed to convince the world that organizational leadership has evolved if this evolution only occurs in the management section of the local bookstore?

I will say that I do fully believe that, while msnbc loves to tell us how corporations continue to screw up, things have evolved as far as organizational leadership is concerned. I believe this change has been found in the attitudes and expectations of the employees. They know they’re a valuable part of the organization. They know they have the power to create change. And they look to their managers to facilitate their efforts. This is probably because my generation is coming up in the ranks, and we’re so great and wonderful and forward-thinking. What up, gen y!

So, world, prove my dad wrong! Enlist change within your organization. Don’t crush my dreams of managerial bliss. Think about how your managerial tactics have changed within the past 10 years. Don’t revert back to leading only through words. Lead by actions. Lead the way you should in this day and age.