Leadership? Not!

Many of today's so called leaders are nothing more than what I call Glorified Followers. They tow the company line, eager to please their superiors, but never really stand on their own two feet. The autonomous leader is not valued in many organizations as much as the constrained leader, or "yes-man." We all know the type, the guy who allows himself to be micromanaged by his boss. Never an objection will he make or stance will he take lest he offend his master. Because he knows if he does, there are more "yes-men" waiting in the wings to take his place. The irony is that this type of leader is really not a leader at all. Rather, he is a Glorified Follower in a leader's position within the organization. Others lead through him while convincing him that his title and rank are commensurate to good leadership and assure him that he is in fact a genuine leader. This man is a fool, a dolt, a hand puppet for management to don whenever and wherever "leadership" is needed. Glorified Followers cannot say "no" to their superiors even when they should. This stems from a lack of ownership and the preoccupation with career advancement. If they keep their heads down and do as they're told, surely they will receive the Holy Grail - a promotion, where they get to be the puppet master for a chance. This is what leadership in Corporate America and the military looks like today, and it is one of the reasons we have so many failures of leadership. Leadership is active, not passive. Leaders must take a stance, say no, and not be afraid to "go all in" with their superiors, especially when it concerns issues dealing with the moral fabric of society. Any other action is Glorified Followership!