June 2, 2004
"The Difficulties Will Argue for Themselves"
Are lawyers by nature poor leaders? This leadership coach thinks so. The counts of the indictment:
- Leaders take risks; lawyers are notoriously risk-averse.
- Leaders are deeply curious, and listen more than they talk; sound like any lawyer you've met lately?
- Leaders are comfortable with collaborative "think-out-loud" decision-making; lawyers prefer the inexorable intellectual argument that leads to one and only one right result, far closer brethren with mathematical proofs than with inspiring (and initially inchoate) visions.
What's to be done?
Recognize that "command and control," however appealing it is to Type A's in charge, is equally demoralizing and dispiriting to Type A's you're seeking to manage. Collaborate. Listen. Seek suggestions. Define problems crisply, ask for help, and shut up.
Finally, follow up—"busyness" is no excuse for lack of leadership. Who said being on the managing committee would make your life more convenient?
Posted by Bruce at June 2, 2004 11:49 AM | TrackBackPosted to Leadership Printer-friendly version
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