Leader + manager = leadager (part 3)
by Miki SaxonIn the first post in this series Casey Ross’ comment “I’ve been around too many visionary “leaders” who could inspire the heck out of you but could never get one thing accomplished.” got me to thinking.
There may be something else going on along with the “play it safe” mentality engendered by the bean counters (some, not all).
Call it the ‘armchair leader’, who, much like the Monday morning quarterback or armchair philosopher, is a person who knows all about leadership without actually doing it.
These are the people who read leadership books, attend leadership classes and can discuss leadership philosophy and approaches intelligently and convincingly. They can create enormously compelling visions, produce the collateral information to implement them and even inspire those around them—but nothing happens.
As Casey says, they just can’t DO it. Something is missing.
I believe that ‘something’ starts in doing, in stepping forward and saying, “I’ve got an idea.”
Or not saying anything and just taking the initiative to do/fix/create/whatever without a lot of thought about visions and inspiration, but with so much enthusiasm and willingness to listen and include others that they jump on the wagon because it’s where the action is and looks like so much fun.
How many armchair leaders do you know?
Your comments—priceless
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February 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Miki
I call it the “Man in the Arena.” To him or her we owe the benefit of the doubt for trying, for being willing to take risks, for being a “doer” and not just a talker! I wrote about this same topic on my blog this morning using Teddy Roosevelt’s quote about the “Man in the Arena” and my own experiences. Great post!
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Tom, Thanks, great minds and all that stuff:) I’ve always believed that you do, but being termed a leader is up to the court of public opinion.
That’s a great quote from TR, one of the best on the subject, think any comments from today’s crop of national “leaders” will stand the test of time as well?
October 23rd, 2010 at 6:45 pm
You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for stopping by.