Real Big Men, Legends in Their Own Minds Dept. 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Eric Solomon demolishes the myth that the bullying “Alpha Male” is the model for effective leadership. He makes four main points (emphasis added);
- Alpha leadership is a lie. Fear doesn’t create strong teams—psychological safety does.
- Swagger isn’t strength. Real leaders empower; weak leaders hoard power and leave wreckage behind.
- Control isn’t leadership. The best leaders build trust, not dominance or intimidation.
- Real leaders create legacy. Power fades, but impact lasts—long after you’re gone.
Given the the behavior of certain folks in the news, I find this article a most timely read.
Aside:
The points he makes correspond to my own working experience. The best bosses I had–the ones who got the best (and the most) work out of me–gave me the feeling that if I was working with them, not for them.
