Too often leaders fail to take the first step to reinforce their leadership. Why? In some cases it seems that they have forgotten what is necessary regarding collaboration and cooperation. Other times leaders sometimes end up taking on maverick qualities. Yet in other situations their focus is self-aggrandizement, virtually a disdain for others they serve. When did leadership get so derailed?
While there are numerous examples of offenses throughout history and solutions to remedy the circumstances, it seems reasonable to examine a brief solution to help leaders take the first step toward better leadership.
Leaders today must re-focus. Re-tooling is necessary because it appears that many have a misguided moral compass. Leadership ethics expert Terry Price points out that “leaders engage in unethical behavior as they gain power simply because they can do it and get away with it.” In other words, they believe that rules for all do not apply to them. In fact, they ignore parameters and then overlook subsequent collateral damage that results.
Author, professor, and noted leadership authority, Jean Lipman-Blumen, explains about toxic leaders in her book, The Allure of Toxic Leaders: Why We Follow Destructive Bosses and Corrupt Politicians—and How We Can Survive Them. She mentions that because of their dysfunctional personal traits and destructive behaviors they inflict enduring harm on their followers and organizations. Hence, it is imperative that leaders take the first critical step of introspection to recognize deficiencies with their leadership style.
If leaders today can take the first step to focus and examine themselves more closely and consistently then a path for tomorrow’s leaders will have hope and promise.
