What does it take to be a different kind of leader? Being
the best at doing a particular type of work and being appointed to oversee
others doing the same work? Have the best ideas? Be someone who talks the
loudest and the most? Is it someone who is creative, caring and genuine? We
have a come a long way from the early days of childhood leadership, which came
in the form of Follow the Leader. First a leader or "head of the
line" is chosen, and then everyone lines up behind the leader. The
leader then moves around and everyone must copy what is done. Any players who
fail to follow or do what the leader does are out of the game. The last person
standing other than the leader is now the new leader. In some corporate cultures
perhaps that is still a relevant application to what some consider leadership,
but I don’t see it that way at all. Exploring Chapter 12 of The Leader’s Guide
to Storytelling, Denning describes several different dimensions of interactive leadership
and what elements he feels should be present in a leader who takes an
interactive approach to thinking, speaking, and acting.
There are several dimensions that are listed in his text
that I feel I relate to which are: The interactive leader works with the world
rater than against it, interactive leadership builds on personal integrity and
authenticity and interactive leadership doesn’t depend on the possession of
hierarchical authority. One of the most prominent themes is that regardless
where you are within an organization you are able to exercise leadership. This
point is highlighted in the idea that leaders benefits from working with the
world, not against it. If you go with the forward momentum, the current, if you
will then you do not have to spend extraneous energy paddling against it. It is
a lot easier to let the world do some of the work for you instead of trying to
force your agenda on others (Denning, 2011). Another point that I think is relevant
to life in general and especially helpful in leadership is be who you are, your
authentic self. Denning does point out that integrity is huge part of being a
successful leader. Respect others, speak the truth, do not see others as a
means to your own ends and act in accordance to your values (Denning, 2011). Incorporating
integrity and authenticity can go a long way and help yield positive results “because
you are open to innovation, happy accidents happen” (Denning, 2011, p. 271). The
work world will be a better place because you bring meaning to it and in turn
can receive superior results. There is nothing worse than a leader who
struggles to motivate and inspire. Most importantly I feel that you do not need
a title to be a leader and it certainly doesn’t make you good and leading or
being effective just because you have one. An interactive leader does not
depend on hierarchical authority. You can be a fitting example, help others
around you and guide the way without anyone telling you that you have
permission to do so. Those who help clarify the direction or improve the
structure is a person who provides leadership (Denning, 2011).
I don’t feel like I really have a title in my organization
that who make me an obvious leader. However, my role advising students becomes
better when I embrace these dimensions. I work diligently to communicate
truthful, helpful messages and am constantly concerned for the academic well
being of my students. I want to see their success and celebrate that with them.
I feel that I coach them to victory. I certainly do not try to gain control and
impose boundaries in order to receive compliance. I feel that I am an equal
partner in their journey. I think outside of advising the same viewpoint can be
applied to guiding others to accomplishing the tasks at hand. Graduation is an
obvious milestone and sometimes thought of as the end result, but you do not
need a clear finish line to work the steps of being an interactive leader. A
final thought on the matter is appropriately quoted from Denning that, “participants
grasp the interrelatedness of things in the world- and so are able to connect
with the world in new ways” (Denning, 2011, p. 269). It is a shame to see the
Follow the Leader or else mentality and effective leadership embraces better
ways to lead.
Reference: Denning, S., (2011). The
leader’s guide to storytelling; Mastering the art and discipline of business
narrative. San Francisco, CA. Jossey-Bass.
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