The Crucibles of Authentic Leadership
Interestingly relevant, the final chapter of The Nature of Leadership discusses leadership in the context of dramatic historical triumphs and tragedies. More specifically, the chapter discusses the emergence of leaders and their personal style application in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. In reflecting on the lessons we have learned about leadership, how do you believe the way American’s think about leadership has changed since that devastating day in history?
The chapter goes on to discuss four competencies identified as being essential to modern leadership—adaptive capacity, the ability to engage others through shared meaning, a distinctive voice, and integrity. Which of these would you argue is most important for leaders today?
Next, the chapter moves to debate the effects of globalization and how this phenomenon has affected leadership. The author is quoted saying, “The Lone Ranger has never been as dead as he is today. In all but the simplest undertaking, great things are done by alliances, not by larger-than-life individuals, however powerful they may seem.” Do you believe this statement to be true? Does modern technology play a role?
With great leadership has also come news of scandal and coercion among many of our both national and international leaders. Have we moved into a culture of economics where the right amount of money or power can persuade us to forget ethical values in our every day decision-making on leadership? Example, the problems with Enron; people within the company knew corrupt business practices were driving success but if they were to challenge upper level management, they risked being fired from the corporation and likely blacklisted from future employment assistance from the organization and those involved. Should these people have stepped forward and stopped the unethical practices happening within their corporation?
