James, you have captured my perspective nicely with the statement...
>that leadership can be taught. However, given present day business
>direction of empowerment and teaming, our paradigm of discussing
>leadership qualities in a "command and control" background must change.
In our work as experiential trainers, I have seen recent examples of
companies in very traditional business sectors challenging the assumption
you have mentioned that leaders must be "full time leaders and should not
follow those previously identified as followers". Using our group problem
solving tasks to replicate the organizational structures and interpersonal
dynamics of the clients' work world, we have been able to help
organizations with leaders in traditionally individualistic roles (i.e.
investment bankers, high tech sales) develop the corporate teaming and
nurturing skills you have called for. What a great line..."Thank you for
disagreeing". Another gem that we enjoy hearing during our programs, and
would serve many of our clients well if used more in the field is...
"Thanks for teaching me that, I've always wondered if there was a better
way". Perhaps effective coaching skills are the great assets that a
leader can bring to a company in these times of "virtual organizations".
See you on-line, Tim
-- Tim Dixon, Director Corporate Adventure Training Institute Brock University St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 (905)688 5550 3120 e-mail:tdixon@arnie.pec.brocku.ca