Blog for Week of February 21, 2010 – Ineffective Leadership

Ineffective Leadership

At a recent speaking engagement, I was asked, “What have you learned about effective leadership styles and ineffective leadership styles?” Without hesitation, I answered, “A long term ineffective leader is someone who employs “My Way or The Highway “leadership. They are often seen as decisive, rendering answers quickly, but scratch beneath the surface, they are generally dictating the way their subordinates should execute a task, how they should do it and do not often take kindly to new or alternative suggestions. They generally do not like to be challenged and if things are not executed exactly as they dictate it, there is not generally a good outcome for the employees/subordinates executing the task.

The issue with this type of leadership is that while things get done, tasks are executed; there is no room left for “over and above” performance, the creative idea, the new way, the more efficient or more productive or effective outcome. Employees execute because they have to, they operate from a position of fear. And you know what I say about operating from a position of fear: Anytime you operate from a position of fear, you will under penetrate that opportunity. You leave something valuable on the table or you don’t realize the BEST outcome. Employees are not motivated to go the extra mile, to take a calculated risk that might pay hug dividends for fear of major retribution or repercussions, if things don’t work out or are not executed as dictated.

This type of leadership style will cause valuable contributions to be left unsaid or unexecuted. Managers employing the “My Way or the Highway” leadership style will never get the best from those who work for them. They might get 100% effort and output, but they don’t get the 110-150%, “over and above” effort, performance and output that employees give to a manager that they respect, that they believe respects them and who they believe values them for who they are. “My Way or the Highway” leadership style works in the short and intermediate run, but is not effective or sustainable in the same organization over the long run and it is not the most effective leadership style for building and growing an organization where new ideas and innovation are essential to long term competitiveness.

In the next session, we’ll talk about what I have learned about effective leadership styles.

- Carla Harris

Amazing Week

This past weekend was one of the most amazing in my life!

I recieved an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Marymount Manhattan College on Friday, May 22, 2009. It was an awe-inspiring afternoon to spend with 350 graduates who have been given an outstanding education from an institution whose mission is “educate a socially and economically diverse population by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.’ It was clear from the energy of the students to their senior class speaker that this class of 2009 had acquired the tools to be effective intellectually, socially, culturally, and politically in their and our world and that there will be some great leaders born from this class. I had no idea that I would earn this amazing honor at this stage in my life and I am indeed thankful.

Immediately following the graduation on Friday night, I flew to Dallas, TX for I had been invited to be the keynote speaker at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ inaugural Breakfast of Champions. Bishop T.D. Jakes had a desire to expose “his flock” and the people of Dallas to some of the people around the world that he meets in the course of his journey that he feels has something to offer others in helping them to crystallize and realize their own aspirations and thus, the Breakfast of Champions idea was born. As he states, “the speakers will offer those who are a part of the Breakfast of Champions the resources, knowledge and access that they need to make their dreams happen.” There were 500 people strong at the Ritz Carlton in Dallas committed to getting information that would help them maximize their success in their current and prospective career. I spoke about the tools in my book, Expect To Win as well as connecting the dots between being a spiritual warrior and a professional success. Bishop T.D. Jakes, this awesome man of God has a vision and a team of people committed to flawless execution that will bring extraordinary value to those fortunate enough to spend time at the Breakfast of Champions. The breakfasts are scheduled for every 60 days. Check out his web site and make it your business to sign up. It will be the best time and money spent investing in yourself that you have ever deployed.