This is in response to the many postings on whether or not
leadership can be taught or whether or not it emerges in someone
when they assume a leadership role. Here are some thoughts I
have on the topic.
1. I have observed leadership characteristics emerge in people
upon assumption of a leader role. The most pronounced change
I observed occurred with my wife shortly after our first
child. She became a Mother and took charge of all sorts of
things - safety, shelter, direction, vision, rewards, etc.
that one associates with leaders. I have observed similar
changes when leaders assume positions in hierarchies -
particularly with the first promotion to supervisor. People
who have waited a while for this role tend to change when they
get it. I have heard many times the following: He used to
work with us - now he is our supervisor.
2. I think we have psychological archetypes within us that
predispose us to act as leaders. Carl Jung conceived these
archetypes as potentials, I believe. Like photographs waiting
to be developed. Some of Jung's followers believe these
archetypes can be/are activated by rituals, intitiations,
etc.
3. Given a predisposition to lead, I believe that we can
stimulate our leadership potential to unfold. I would identify
that potential as: visioning, rule making, rewarding,
assessing risk, dispensing justice, and selecting members.
4. I have been working with people to develop processes to
activate leadership archetypes through education and ritual.
We think we have had some success. At least our clients say
that we do.
I would like to hear from anyone who has explored the idea of
using Jung's archetypes in leadership or any other kind of
education development.
--
Charlie Fleetham
vnuu10b@prodigy.com