Leadership, command, power . . .

[sartorias]

A reader forwarded a blog post that touches on one of my books, but is essentially about how to gain leadership without violence, especially when you are seen in a weaker position, whether through gender expectations, age, culture, or simply numbers. (Many students vs. one teacher who doesn't happen to have an automatic weapon in her hands

Comments

[anna_wing]

I have always had the greatest admiration for teachers. It is a skill set that I know I do not possess and could only acquire with a rebarbative amount of effort.

The advantage of a clear hierarchy, the sort that one usually gets in the working world, is that personal authority is not the only tool available. Once someone is being paid for their work, calling them to account for not doing it to whatever standard the job requires is structurally easier.

I agree that solution-seeking is the most efficient and effective way to deal with problems, though I would not call it love. More like respect for the minions, and the a common goal that they and I are supposed to be working towards, which is bigger than all of us. Also unnecessary ego-display is a waste of time and energy (there is such a thing as necessary ego-display, of course, for the protection of my own position and theirs). Sometimes the solution is in fact to get rid of the problem person, for the sake of the team and the goal. My HR colleague, during one orientation session, earned my regard for saying bluntly to the newbies that she was not there to help them actualise themselves, develop themselves or fulfill all t heir potential. She was there to turn them into acceptable and useful members of the organisation. Sometimes truth is the most useful approach.