Re: Leadership Can be Taught? LO1771

Dr. Ivan Blanco (BLANCO@BU4090.BARRY.EDU)
Sat, 24 Jun 1995 11:56:22 -0400 (EDT)

Replying to LO1746 --

> Date: Thu, 22 Jun 1995 16:17:46 -0700
> From: dblair@ix.netcom.com (Doug Blair)

<<< some deletions here >>>
> I was wondering if the topic of Politics would ever creep into this forum.
> It is particularly interesting that it came up under the subject
> "Leadership Can Be Taught."
>
> I'm surprised at how little *good* instruction there is in this area,
> particularly when it is hard to be an effective leader without
> understanding this skill. Many of the other leadership traits can come
> naturally (whatever that is): relationships, expertise, passion, vision,
> etc. But political skills don't necessarily come naturally, unless one is
> inclined to study relationships and organizations for some time.
>
> If one wwanted to help a new leader, this is one topic in which
> instruction should be given. As much as this topic gets knocked, it's a
> topic in which most people want to learn more.

In one the first messages about leadership, I left the door open
to criticisms because I did not say anything about the leadership that
just happens. There is a form of leadership that happens serendipitously
(nice word but I have never been able to pronounce it!). In this case we
can probably talk about heroics and things like that. There are people
who seem to "just be right" for leadership positions. In these cases, I
still insist in that the person has learned those skills in one or the
other, even without really noticing the process by which s/he learned the
skills.

Now, about politics, I have to ask myself: Is there leadership in
politics? Is political activities lead to compromises, can we say that
those who rely on politics are being leaders? Do true leaders compromise
their beliefs, values, etc.?

Ivan,

--
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