Re: Leadership Can be Taught? LO1835

Shillitoe@aol.com
Wed, 28 Jun 1995 14:22:20 -0400

Replying to LO1812 --

I'm new to the list. I appreciate the high level of thought and insight
manifested herein and hope to be able to add something of value to your
discussions.

First, let me say that I have been consulting and training in leadership
with Fortune 500 companies for the past 6 years. I left a small firm last
year to begin a practice that specializes in organizational transformation
(utilizing Kilmann's models and Argyris' work with ODR) and leadership
development practices.

I'd like to suggest a couple of things about leadership that I am
developing in a book with Surya Das, an American lama of the non-sectarian
tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. To begin with, considering the source of
leadership: Is there such a thing as innate leadership potential that can
be awakened, or activated? Who, among us, possesses this potential?

>From our point of view leadership potential is innate in all human
beings-in fact, to be 'human' means to posess this potential. While there
are varying degrees to which our facticity may limit us (e.g. brain
damage, mental illness), the potential is none the less there (to a
greater or lesser degree) for those who can effectivly interact
emotionally and mentally with their surroundings.

Warren Bennis has called leadership 'the creative deployment of Self'.
Taking a slightly different tack on this, I would say that it is the
'creative deployment of spirit', of that which moves (motivates?) us with
life/breath or 'inspiration'. I believe that the closer we are to this
'inspiration' in our own lives, the more likely we are to recognize and
begin to activate our innate potential to lead.

In this sense, I use lead not to mean the formal role of 'guiding others'
but rather in the sense of manifesting personal vision and intention
wisely and compassionately. Note that I am not including, power, position
or charisma as necessary preconditions for this awakening. Personally, I
believe that these notions, while real and important considerations, are
not fundamental to the practice of leadership.

In the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, the leadership ideal is that of the
Bodhisattva, (bodhi=awake, sattva=being), one who has cut through delusion
and fares in the world in a 'non-clinging' way. Another way of saying
this would be that the bodhisattva acts with recognition of the ego's
role, yet keeps it in perspective, rather than vice versa.

There are 6 'perfections of wisdom' (paramitas) that are indicative of the
bodhisattva's way-which we have adapted as 'the leadership path' and
interpreted in light of a modern leadership analytic.

Generosity-Dana: sharing of self and resources with others

Morality/Ethics-Sila: integrity, honesty, walk the talk

Patience-Kshanti: compassionate forebearance of self and
others; understands styles, situations and relationships.

Energy-Virya: Engagement, effort and output-ability to focus.

Reflection-Dhyana: broadly, meditation, including: self reflection,
mindful awareness of actions and consequences what we would call being
'thoughtful'.

Wisdom-Prajna: manifesting the preceeding practices in intention (motive)
and action. Systems thinking-the big picture, curiosity and a desire to
learn, discernment in decision making.

These form the basis for a leadership development practice that harmonizes
mental, emotional, spirtual and physical aspects of human existence.
There is no completion point, nor are these things to be considered
'goals' as some 'thing' to be attained (a box checked off on your 360
inventory). Rather, they are more like markers along the leadership way,
if you don't pass 'em every day, you're probably off track.

In our world of business and busy-ness, develpoment of these traits is
often overlooked-with greater attention placed on issues of power and
authority. While power and authority are important to getting things done,
they can and do corrupt, and when this occurs we witness the failure of
leadership, which is to say, the lack of wisdom and compassion in dealing
with power and authority-whether ours or anothers.

Regardless of our chosen arena, motivations for action, or situation in
life, we may begin this practice at any time. As Pema Chodron has
written, we can...."start where we are"-using our current situation as the
opportunity to awaken our leadership potential. After all, what else is
there; where else would it be?

The great Indian poet Kabir has some interesting thoughts on
leadership--here adapted for my purposes-see if they make sense:

Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat.
My shoulder is against yours.
You won't find me in books, or seminars,
teambuildings, at Tavistock or Esalen,
on ropes courses or in vision quests nor at the feet of
gurus, pacing the stage and promising success.
When you really look for me, you will see me instantly--
you will find me moment by moment in your day
Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is leadership?
It is the 'art' within the 'heart'.

I look forward to continuing the discussion on leadership, artful living
and working, learning and systems thinking. I welcome your comments and
questions in a spirit of inquiry and discovery.

--
Tim Smith
Wheelwright Associates
Shillitoe@aol.com