Traits of a Leader

[idil gaziulusoy]

Without getting into the discussion of what leadership is and whether it is in line with the ideal of a sustainable world or not, I'd like to ask opinions about traits of a leader in sustainability related issues. Below is my quick opinion. I'd really like to hear what people think about the traits I listed and what additional traits they see as essential.

My list:
- does not lead but facilitates self-organisation;
- does not order but serves;
- does not compete but cooperate;
- does not manage top-down but facilitates emergence at all levels of self-organisation;
- does not impose his/her views but facilitates discussion around alternatives;
- does not think he/she is a leader but rather a participant;
- does not claim self-credit but knows that whatever achieved is a collective success;
- is knowledgable;
- is resourceful;
- is innovative;
- is spiritual;
- is non-violent;
- is honest and does have integrity;
- is fun...

[Adam Guyton]

Hi Idil, I like your list! I would make a few changes though...

- does lead (by example) and actively develops self-organisation of the group;
- does not order but serves; (serves who? the people, the cause?)
- does not compete but cooperate;
- does manage top-down and facilitates emergence at all levels of self-organisation;
- does not impose his/her views but facilitates discussion around alternatives solutions;
- does not think he/she is a leader but rather a participant;
- does not claim self-credit but knows that whatever achieved is a collective success; (i like that one)
- is knowledgable; (and practical)
- is resourceful;
- is innovative;
- is spiritual;
- is non-violent;
- is honest and does have integrity;
- is fun...



I think it is very important that a leader can give orders (once consensus has been reached by the group) because at that stage the goal is to complete the task. But It is important that the leader takes an equal roll in undertaking the task along side the rest of the group (rather than going to his/her office to relax and smoke a cigar!)

[Greg Kendrick]

a leader must be ready to do the shittest job so as to not create superiority
a leader must be able to see beyond their own inner world so as to not be blinded by it
a leader naturally makes those around feel really good for some reason

[Daniel Howard]

Greg, agree completely....
Idil, its interesting that it seems that you don't want a leader to get out the front and present their ideas, but that you'd rather a consensus decision was reached first.
I believe that many good ideas are going missed by this method. I enjoy it when everyone agrees on which direction we should be heading, but I've experienced many organisations crippled by the cosensus process. They just can't handle the contentious issues, so only the easy ones get dealt with.

I think a good leader is prepared to stand up and describe their vision of the future, and why we should get on board to help get there. That's where the real courage lies.

I note that you'd like a leader to serve and not order, where I'd say that the job of leading has got to be one of the toughest serves around. Look at the average comittee of a community organisation, and see who all steps back when the chairpersons job is vacant. We need more leaders, but I'd be giving them a wider scope than this to operate.
I think this list is a little too modest, humble and self effacing to produce real leadership drive. We need a little more self belief, and a little less kowtowing to naysayers- where having this list of qualities could cripple the best intentions by having to agree on everything with everybody.

How do we get a bit of tenacious mongrel in there?
'A leader is damn sure of the ultimate success of the mission.'

So if it's not you going to be the leader, then who?

Good leadership book = Kouzes and Posner - The leadership challenge

[Barnaby Smith]

HI Idil, I like your list. I think its crucial for our leaders to have a high degree of self-awareness, to be fully in touch with their core values, vision for a sustainable society, and their own higher purpose for existence. The work that Otto Scharmer and the Presencing Institute are doing in this regard is really inspiring. They are helping leaders to slow down (for a time), connect with whats in their hearts, (rather than just their intellect) and redefine the goals of what is they are working so hard to pursue.

One thing I would add to your list Idil is that leaders have a responsibility to help other tap into their creativity and highest potential.

The other comment I have is that leadership in modern society can come in many different forms, and is not limited to the traditional forms of powerful leadership we tend to associate with government and business. Movements like Transition Towns are providing leadership from the grass roots up.......

[James M Maddock]

- is inspirational!

[Vincent Dickie]

Great comments and dialogue.

Having been involved in committees, I would agree that whilst it's great to work together on projects, not everything can be done by consensus - it is usually the vision of a minority that leads a change, but it requires the energy of the majority at some point.

Members of an organisation have to agree to disagree (which is always a challenge to our 'ego'), but most importantly, as a preventative measure, good leaders ask everyone for their input on the objectives of the organisation. This way, everyone is 'one the same page'.