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The myth of the visionary leader

by Joe Mobley
8 replies
The kind of leaders we idolize may be the last people we really want in charge.
Leaders with vision and charisma, on the other hand, are immediately appealing--in part, one expert says, because they make us forget our problems are actually difficult to solve.
21st-century Americans generally don't need our leaders to be Nelson Mandela or Joan of Arc. We need them to be able to make decisions, work with others, and wield power in an intelligent, productive way.
Getting leadership wrong in this way has consequences... The reason for this, ... is that leaders who have "exceptional powers of persuasion" are ultimately harmful because it's too easy for them to overcome dissent and opposition to their ideas.
Excellent article!

The myth of the visionary leader - Ideas - The Boston Globe

Joe Mobley
#leader #myth #visionary
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    I see your article and raise you one Steve Jobs.

    It's an interesting take on leadership though I disagree with the conclusions reached.
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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    • Profile picture of the author cajtrixie
      Honestly, whenever I see someone going for a leadership position who is highly charismatic, I immediately begin wondering, "So... are they REALLY nice, or do they know how to play the game?"

      On one hand, someone who can convince people to like them has a fantastic ability which could come in very handy. On the other hand, you can never really trust them.

      If you have someone who is genuinely charismatic, then you have to wonder if they got to where they are based on the fact that people like them, or are they actually good at what they do?

      Having someone who is genuine AND good at their work is the ideal, of course, but that's RARELY the case, and in all honesty, I think that the other 2 options (smart, but 2-faced vs. genuine, but not that smart) are almost equally as bad.

      If I had to vote, I'd vote for smart, but 2-faced, because the damage done there depends entirely on their personal intentions, and there's a higher chance that their intentions require them to at least look like they're doing a good job. Whereas with genuine, but not that good, you have the problem of them trying their best, but unfortunately, messing up a lot of stuff for the future. 0.o

      It'd be nice to have a leader with both, though. XD lol
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      I see your article and raise you one Steve Jobs.
      I'm not a poker player but I may have this right,

      I call your Steve Jobs and raise you one Barack Obama... unfortunately.


      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      It's an interesting take on leadership though I disagree with the conclusions reached.
      A respectable opinion. I appreciate your feedback.

      Joe Mobley
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      • Profile picture of the author LastingLifeSuccess
        Thanks for the article, Joe. It is a good read.

        LLS
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        • Profile picture of the author SanjeevM
          Awesome article, Joe! Thanks!

          Peter Drucker, the management guru, wrote about leadership in some of his books.

          As I recall it, he equated it to effectiveness in a given situation. In other words, the ability to fulfill a mission / objective.

          He said that there was no one personality type that all good leaders fall into. Some are introverted, some extroverted. There are leaders who were analytical / methodical in their approach while others were quick, instinctive decision makers. And so on.

          In the end, it seems to boil down to the ability to produce a set of desired outcomes in the particular situation they find themselves in.

          Not too different from what makes for a great IM'er, eh?
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  • Profile picture of the author stopper
    I got an interesting quote on visionary leadership that I feel I need to share soon. By oscar wilde
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  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    the myth is that there is this special type of leader ..that in leadership term out performs the rest .

    when in reality the leader you want depends on the mission .

    the same way there is a myth that people are either leaders or followers ..when in most cases people shift roles depending on the situation .
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

      the myth is that there is this special type of leader ..that in leadership term out performs the rest .

      when in reality the leader you want depends on the mission .
      I really like this. Good way of putting it.
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      Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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