The World’s Best Boss

Posted on April 18, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

Leadership is inherently paradoxical. In certain circumstances, a leader is forced to grasp polar opposite truths at the same time. 

Here are a few examples

:

1) To Help, Or Not Help – Most leaders have experienced a subordinate who demands independence today, yet tomorrow wants the leader to do it for them.  This is similar to a child who asks for help with a puzzle, then when you place a piece on that puzzle, the child reacts, “Don’t put that piece in for me!”

2) Where Is The Power? – Even though one has been granted the authority (or power) to lead, he or she must be careful how they use it.  The conclusion of the experts is that power ultimately rests with the subordinates rather than in a leader’s formal position.  (The overthrow of Communist rule in the former Easter Bloc supports this view.)

3) Who’s The Boss Anyway? -  Similar to the paradox above, leaders ultimately answer to their subordinates.  To stay in charge, leaders must pay close attention to those they lead, for inevitably, a leader can be completely undermined by their followers. 

4) Keeping Things The Same While Leading Change – Leaders are expected to not only protect and reflect the core values of the organization they serve, but to deal quite directly with those who do not adhere to those values.  But, leaders are also called to bring change to core values, norms, or practices that no longer serve the organization.

5) A Hero Or A Friend – In some ways a leader is a Hero to their followers – someone who inspires, and leads the way to higher heights.  Yet a leader also needs to build healthy relationships with subordinates.  This paradox requires a delicate balance, for followers have expectations how their “hero” should behave, yet this image can be tarnished if a leader allows too much of their humanity to show through.

6) To Tell The Truth? – Sharing information helps employees buy into corporate goals and increases empowerment – plus, withholding information makes people feel management does not care.  Wise leaders must find the right balance between how much critical information they share, and what information is best kept to themselves.

7) Where Does the Power Come From? – How much power comes from the “position” of leadership, and how much power comes from the “person?”  Both need to be wisely developed, and then effectively used at different times, and in different situations.

** SO WHAT’S THE POINT… The crucial point is that leadership is a skill involving both

judgment

and

wisdom

– which remains quite distinct from one’s

knowledge

.