I came across this silly photo when I was searching from some brainy leadership quote or reference. It made me laugh at the expense of this heartless, worthless dictator so I decided to share it.
This is my third class in my pursuit of a degree in OLEAD and I think that I decided that OLEAD is not for me. It’s not that I haven’t learned anything or took issue with any teaching methods. I thought that such a degree would make me more marketable when, God willing, I retire from my current profession in the next year or two.
Skills Approach, Trait Approach, Authentic Leadership, Servant Leadership. It seems that these “theories” are all common sense values that should be employed by any leader. Lead by example, have integrity, be fair, take care of your people. It is astounding that there are endless volumes of research and studies concerning leadership.
Moreover, it seems that the course of study suggests that anyone can be motivated. This is simply not true. Some people are incorrigible. Some can be motivated to perform average at best. Most inherently want to do a good job and will do so with minimal input.
Perhaps I am disheartened that there were no revelations into the field of leadership. There are catch words, i.e., path goal, psychodynamic approach, but the most successful leaders of our time exhibited basically the same qualities.
They didn’t get all the food- they worked for it as a team and reaped the benefits as a group.
Alipour, K. (2015, February 24). Lesson 13: Leadership and Diversity. Retrieved April 17, 2015, from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/sp15/psych485/002/content/13_lesson/printlesson.html
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications
Barbie Vickhouse says
First, I also laughed at the image you selected, although I’m not certain if it was for the same reason.
I understand where you’re coming from with this major as this is my second or third OLEAD class as well, so I know what you’re saying when it comes to this seeming like it’s common sense, but perhaps it’s common sense to you and I (and likely many others) because we’ve already developed the majority of these traits? That’s my own personal theory because I can assure you that there are titled “leaders” that don’t have a clue about any of this. And I agree that not everyone can be motivated to be a great leader, but I do think that anyone who wanted to be a better leader could learn to expand those underdeveloped areas.