This was a question asked recently by someone delivering a TED talk speech. The speaker’s name is Seth Godin and he’s an entrepreneur, author and inspirational speaker. His speech on this day centered on the idea that great leaders are those who care about something and cause others to care about it, as well. They form, what he refers to as, Tribes – groups of people who share a passion. And when these tribes are in a vacuum, or void of something they believe to be necessary, they will work together to create change (TED, 2014). Everyone has something they care about, yet few people lead. So, this raises the question – Is leadership reserved for the privileged few who have the talent and traits to do so or is each person capable of leading in their own way?
Over the past few weeks, we’ve discussed just this and both the lesson commentary as well as Northouse point to the fact that the studies on leadership are vast and differing. Going back to the early 20th century all the way up through present day, beliefs surrounding leadership have included leading by force, leading by coercion and leading by example (Northouse, 2013, p.2-4). In the professional world, the term leader is often used interchangeably with that of manager. However, the two are actually quite different in function. Leading is establishing direction, aligning people and motivating or inspiring. Managing, on the other hand, is related to planning, organizing and controlling (Northouse, 2013, p.). Managers do not always make for good leaders and vice versa. And while companies state they want strong leaders, there is often little education surrounding this yet plenty of training for managing a workforce.
So, what is needed to lead? There are five key competencies for leading that were outlined in this week’s reading. They include intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity and sociability. While there are many ways to view intelligence, one is through the Triarchic Theory of intelligence. This theory states that there are three types of intelligence: Analytic, Practical and Creative. Analytic intelligence refers to someone’s IQ. Practical intelligence is what may commonly be referred to as “street smarts,” or the ability to apply common sense to problems and help resolve them. Creative intelligence is producing new and useful work (PSU, L2, p.9). Self-confidence is defined as being sure in one’s own abilities and skills. However, Northouse also states that this includes being sure that you have the ability to make a difference (Northouse, 2013, p.24). Determination is the desire to finish what one starts. A determined individual will assert themselves when others may shy away and direct others to accomplish a goal (Northouse, 2013, p.25). Integrity is the quality of honesty and trustworthiness. Those who have integrity inspire confidence and which helps others to believe them (Northouse, 2013, p.25). And finally, sociability. Sociable individuals have good interpersonal skills and are sensitive to others needs. They seek to create pleasant experiences, which affects followers in a positive way (Northouse, 2013, p.26).
Going back to the original question, can ordinary people become leaders? According to Godin, as well as going by the defining terms in the lesson and course materials, it does indicate that, yes – ordinary people can lead. For those who possess the five key competencies, leading may come naturally. For others, a passion can drive them to lead, according to Godin, even in the absence of these traits. An example of this was that of Nathan Winograd, a Director for the San Francisco ASPCA, who created the first no-kill animal shelter within that organization. He took a stand for something he believed in and changed the way stray animals were treated in his home town and then went to city after city to repeat this process until he helped completely change the function of SPCA across the country. Godin states that Winograd was not a natural born leader but once he began affecting change, he began to possess the traits needed to carry this out. According to Godin, charismatic people are not leaders. Rather, being a leader makes one charismatic (TED, 2014).
The technology in place today has afforded individuals a chance to lead when they otherwise did not have a platform to do so. This blog site is an example of just that. It’s a forum for individuals who have a passion for leadership to come together and share their ideas on what makes a good leader and how to achieve the status of such. Technology has opened the door for individuals from all walks of life and throughout the entire world to share ideas. Finding a passion is not the challenge for most people. We all have things we are passionate about. So for the majority, our call to action is not to get interested in something, but rather to take this interest public and find others who share this passion so that we connect with our “tribe” and create change.
References:
Northouse, Peter G. (2013). Leadership Theory and Practice (6th ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Lawrence Sage Publications Ltd.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2011). PSYCH 484 Lesson 1: Introduction to Trait Approach. Retrieved from: https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/sp14/psych485/002/content/02_lesson/01_page.html
TED, NPR/Staff (2014, January 17). Can ordinary people become leaders? Retrieved from:
http://www.npr.org/2014/01/17/261096538/can-ordinary-people-become-leaders
Jerry M Edwards says
I believe that ordinary people can lead because in many ways I think my persona is somewhat mundane and I am not a natural born leader. For instance, I am supervisor for well-known organization and my department is currently number 2 in the country. I am an introvert who does not always feel self-confident, but while I am leading at work I do not display those characteristics. I make an effort to be an effective leader even it is not in my comfort zone.