What Does a Leader Do?
So much has been written on leadership, yet the concept of leadership often remains vague and unclear. The first reason for this is probably that many books on leadership are average to bad.
But even good books on leadership often fail to provide the core clarity that goes right to the heart of what leadership is. For example, Marcus Buckingham points out that the book Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence details “nineteen traits that effective leaders are supposed to possess.”
I have that book on my to read list, but now I’m afraid to read it. How are you going to keep 19 different competencies in mind? It is hard to apply such a broad spectrum in the day-to-day.
To be sure, it is helpful to understand the characteristics of something, especially leadership. There is much value in that.
But, before that, I would argue that you need to know the single, underlying core of a matter. Knowing the 19 characteristics of this or that is not going to be sufficient guidance. It’s too much — and too little — at the same time. They need to be integrated into a bigger idea.
You need to know the core of a matter so that you have a context for understanding the broader characteristics of it (in this case, leadership). So, what is the core of leadership? What is the essence of what a leader does?
Maybe the authors of Primal Leadership do this. But successful attempts at this are rare. I have seen nothing more helpful than the definition of leadership that Marcus Buckingham gives in his book The One Thing You Need to Know: … About Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success.
Buckingham’s definition is not simply the best of a bunch of “good but still not exactly right” attempts; it resonates. When you read his definition, you immediately get it. Finally. You have an aha moment (at least I did), and realize “that’s it — that’s what leadership is.”
So, what does a leader do? Buckingham’s answer is:
Great leaders rally people to a better future.
A great leader does not control people, he rallies them. He rallies them to realize and bring about a vision of a better future.
Buckingham especially emphasizes the future-oriented nature of leadership:
The two key words in this definition are “better future.” What defines a leader is his preoccupation with the future. In his head he carries a vivid image of what the future could be, and this image drives him on. This image, rather than, say, goals of outperforming competitors, or being individually productive, or helping others achieve success, is what motivates the leader.
Don’t misunderstand. An effective leader might also be competitive, achievement oriented, and a good coach. But these are not the characteristics that make him a leader. He is a leader if, and only if, he is able to rally others to the better future he sees. (The One Thing You Need to Know, pp 59-60.)
One last thing: This means that a leader must have a talent for optimism. If you are not an optimistic person, nobody will want to go to the future that you see. Leaders rally to a better future. “As a leader you must believe, deeply, instincitvely, that things can get better” (p. 63).
Comments
15 Responses to “What Does a Leader Do?”
Leave a Reply
About Matt Perman
Follower of Christ. Husband of one, father of three. Former director of strategy at Desiring God. This blog exists to help equip Christians in good works, because that's what productivity is really about.
Learn more Contact me Speaking Availability Friend me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Like What's Best Next on Facebook
Keep Updated
Subscribe by email-
Map
nodirectory
Matt, good post. I agree with you, and also had the same “aha moment” you were referring to.
[...] Buckingham argues (via Matt Perman) that leaders must be optimistic. That really resonates with me. And I think that it resonates [...]
That has to be right. Leaders are visionaries; it cannot be any other way.
[...] What a Leader Does This sums it up. [...]
[...] On Friday I posted that the essence of what a leader does is rally people to a better future. [...]
Great post – excellent personal check too, thank you
Thanks so much for this post. This has really crystalised leadership for me.
[...] months ago I read Matt Perman’s post “What Does a Leader Do?” Matt recognizes this problem and seeks to present a possible solution. He explains that [...]
[...] months ago I read Matt Perman’s post “What Does a Leader Do?” Matt recognizes this problem and seeks to present a possible solution. He explains that [...]
[...] others to accomplish a common goal. As you guide others you are shaping them for them for a better future. Everything you do influences them in one way or another. You have taken them in as an acorn, [...]
Additional qualities of a leader include being chosen by God to fulfill a specific task. An being prepared to be obedient, faithful and righteous to God’s instructions!
[...] enables you to focus on your strengths more effectively. For, as I talk about in my post “What Does a Leader Do?,” you don’t have to focus on developing long lists of recommended attributes for [...]
The question is, “what does managing your weaknesses really look like?” Everybody has them, and almost everyone is required to do things they aren’t necessarily good at.
Someone should write a book on that…
[...] read this on What’s Best Next. Great quote. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this. September 5, [...]
[...] read this on What’s Best Next. Great quote. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this. September 5, [...]