Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

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  vdonof10/10/08 Report as spam
  1

  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  By strong, do you mean pompous? I don't completely agree with your interpretation of strong. Leadership is about empowering, bringing people together, providing a cohesive vision and motivating. None of this can be effective without listening and some level of collaboration. I would argue that a strong leader is never overbearing. The "my way or the highway approach" is simply not leading, it is ego basting. Also, a completely untethered leadership style is dangerous, since encouraging too much independent leadership can be counter productive, especially when lower ranking parties have widely differing opinions. That is not to say independent thinking should be discouraged. A strong leader keeps the ship sailing straight toward a single destination without being autocratic.

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  Paul Pangaro10/10/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  an alternative view of 'leadership' is offered in the
  PDF at http://pangaro.com/littlegreybook/, see
  pp. 28-31. direct link to PDF is http://pangaro.com/littlegreybook.pdf
  -paul@cyberneticlifestyles.com

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  ChrisHooked10/10/08 Report as spam
  3

  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  Is this a trick question?
  
  No, strong leaders do not destroy leadership. They also do not completely ignore intelligent expression of opinion. Nor do they simply tell people what to do, as your article suggests.
  
  Strong leaders routinely solicit opinions and feedback. As mentioned above, they empower and encourage. They don't merely espouse the "open door policy", they kick down the door and require input, then commitment.
  
  Strong leaders are not too insecure to be open or too afraid to be decisive. They're discerning about when to lean to or fro. The cultures created by strong leaders develop leaders. They work to de-centralize when appropriate and put a righteous foot down necessary.
  
  What's at least unfortunate is the dearth of strong leaders who occupy leadership positions. Count our current Presidential Administration and its predecessor, the majority in our current Congress and its predecessor, Enron leaders, Wall Street leaders, a tragic number of priests, coaches who cheat, not to mention all the insecure cowards in too many upstairs offices who squash, discourage or unfairly terminate--I'm out of breath!
  
  Rest assured, strong leadership needs no title. It just needs to replace a few current title holders.
  
  Evidently, it's easy to get a little discouraged or confused about what strong leadership is. Let's at least try to agree on what it isn't.

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  mmello10/10/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  After 22 years working with CEOs, there's one thing I can guarantee: it is a WEAK leader that destroys leadership!
  
  A weakness manifests itself in many different forms, not only feebleness: irresolution, defensiveness, authoritarian behavior, impulsiveness, manipulation. But the end result is always the same: a highly political, dysfunctional leadership team, that contaminates the rest of the organization and, finally, destroys profits.
  
  It is a very naif mistake, to confound authoritarian despotism with "strong leadership". Despotism is a defense strategy typical of weak people in positions of power they feel ill prepared to handle.

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  roybc10/10/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  We must first understand what "Strong Leadership' means to Mr.Robin Stuart-Kotze.

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  dougsmithtraining10/14/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  Leaders must be strong, courageous, compassionate,
  participative, creative, and so much more. What they dare
  not be is so dominate that they shut down shared
  leadership.
  
  That seems to be the point of this fine article.
  
  Doug Smith
  http://www.dougsmithtraining.com
  Developing Leadership Skills

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  plrss11/07/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  Strong leadership is a requirement for change
  not egos

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  jleuthard11/12/08 Report as spam
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  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  Positive leadership, by my definition, fosters engagement and leadership at all levels. Unfortunately, some people confuse leadership with dictatoriship and the need to control everything. True leadership supports and positions others to be successful. It is frustrating to work for someone who gives lip service to inclusive leadership, yet makes sure all decisions made at all levels agree with his/hers. That is not true leadership. As a leader, surround yourself with capable people, be clear about global expectations and outcomes and help them work together. Then get out of their way and let them do their jobs and be the leaders they want to be.

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  caramel-correspondence01/20/09 Report as spam
  9

  RE: Do Strong Leaders Destroy Leadership?

  This article has been very persuasive in that 'strong leaders destroy leadership' but its only points out the difference between a strong leader and a good leader. Personally, I think it sounds like an article scolding the choice of the words 'strong leader' because egotistical leaders are obviously not good leaders.