What is
Great Leadership?
Dr. Boyatzis (n.d.), while introducing the concept of
effective leadership, gave me refreshing news about my awareness of what effective
leadership means. Although not being able to put my concept into words, I
reflected on his statements and simplistically I agree that a great leader is
the one who inspires me, helping me to manage my emotions and convincing me
through emotional arguments.
Choosing a great leader took me back to 18 years ago. By
the age of 16 I was chosen to host a symposium organized by my technical school
at the time, two days before the event, as the professor hosting it could not
attend due to personal issues. My responsibility was to introduce the event in
front of the audience, including introducing speaker by speaker and closing it.
I was nervous as I have not prepared in advance, neither have written the
script (although I was the one who needed to memorize it). The event would have
three successful professionals in the field as speakers (which I needed to be
in touch with due to my role) and one of them was well known in town. After the
symposium was over the well-known speaker approached me offering a trainee
opportunity in one of her companies, stating that she liked my posture,
confidence and communication skills.
I worked with this leader for over a year as trainee. I
still remember how she inspired me, initially trusting me based on the
potential she saw in me, at such a young age, and then by giving a lot of
responsibilities beyond the trainee role I was entitled. She made me feel
valued with the “you can do it” approach since the beginning and she had the
patience to explain all my duties in details or assigning someone to do so. I
was part of social gatherings with all employees, including larger ones
involving employees from all her companies. She was inspiring with her positive
and “can do” attitude, that by the time she entered a room the “energy”
changed. She had the knowledge, connections and integrity, combined with
humility, hands-on approach and passion for her job and the people working for
her. Years later, already working for another company, she called me to work in
some random events with her and on our first meeting, after two years not
seeing each other, she shared with me how she neglected for so long her health
due to her career, and was by then, focus on life balance. Nowadays she
continues to succeed on her career, while engaging in sportive events as a
participant and saving time for her family, which shows me what a great leader
she is, as a leader of others and herself, as a resonant leader should be
(Boyatzis, 2005).
On the other hand, I had a leader whose I have not had
any will of meeting again right after our first encounter, which is exactly
what I accomplished although she was my manager for two years. There was a
change in management structure in my organization and the teams were regrouped
and assigned to different managers. Since that day I was asking for an
introduction meeting as the nature of my job does not required regular meetings
with managers. After six months I managed to book it, and when I got in her
office and mentioned with excitement that finally we got the chance to meet,
she busted feeling accused with my words and spent around 10 minutes venting
about how overwhelmed she was. I listened, confused and feeling sorry at same
time, and when we got to the introduction part (the purpose of the meeting) she
started testing my knowledge for a promotion she knew I was preparing for,
since we had exchanged some emails. I left her room in shock with her
defensiveness, negativity, “threatening” approach and unprofessionalism. I
avoided her for two years after that, and eventually there was a restructuring
again and I lost touch with her.
As Dr. Boyatzis (n.d.) says, leadership goes beyond one
individual (the leader) to the actual relationship between this individual and
the follower. A great leader, according to his research, needs to be less
controlling and commanding and have a more inspiring and open approach. Data
shows that 70% to 80% of people in management position could be removed with no
negative effect on overall performance and productivity.
Based on Boyatzis (2005) findings, effective leaders move
and inspire people, while getting results. Great leaders are aware, awake and
attuned to themselves, to others and the world around them, facing any negative
or positive situation with empathy, compassion, hope, knowledge and
consciousness, while still capable to sustain effectiveness. Self-reflecting on
my abilities as a leader, I believe my strengths are related to self and social
awareness, as well as passion, commitment and genuine concern for people, but I
fail in self-management, empathy (often being sympathetic instead) and renewal.
References
Boyatzis,
R. (n.d.) Inspiring leadership through emotional intelligence. Case Western
Reserve University. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/lecture/emotional-intelligence-leadership/watch-what-is-great-leadership-mX5X3
Boyatzis, R., & McKee,
A. (2005). Resonant leadership. Boston, MA: Harvard Business
School Press.
