Looking for Leadership
by Miki Saxon
I’ve never watched American Idol, Survivor or Oprah, but I love the CSIs (not Miami), NCIS (both) and especially Bones. The main character is a forensic anthropologist and one of her lines really resonated with me.
Anthropology tells us that the Alpha male is the one with the crown, the most shiny baubles, the fanciest plumage, but I learned that the real alpha male is often in the shadows because he is busy shining the light on others.
I think that applies to leaders, whether male or female.
It does not apply to those who lurk in the shadows manipulating others to do their bidding.
So when you are deciding whom to follow, who’s vision to trust, skip the shiny baubles and silken words and look to see who keeps turning the spotlight on others.
Flickr photo credit to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/unclebumpy/105681820/
June 8th, 2010 at 8:03 am
A really nice thought Miki!
Often, leaders focus on being in the limelight than shining light on others. This just leads to people always putting their own brains behind and just doing what the leader wants!! Not productive! And not effective!!
June 8th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Hi Dominic, ego, hubris and craving the limelight contributed mightily to the Wall Street debacle as did all those who followed blindly along. Definitely not effective, but certainly easier than using one’s own brain and taking a different path.
Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts. I hope you’ll come back for the conversation frequently.
October 5th, 2012 at 1:17 am
[…] couple of years ago I wrote a post about leadership that included a quote from the main character, a forensic anthropologist, in the TV show Bones. […]
October 1st, 2015 at 1:15 am
[…] couple of years ago I wrote a post about leadership that included a quote from the main character, a forensic anthropologist, in the TV show […]