The preparation of leaders
It’s interesting for me to daily observe the inner workings of people at executive levels in profit, non-profit, and public sector organizations. There are many people who are very capable leaders. And there are those who are experts or sycophants but certainly not equipped for leadership. This is not criticism of them, more a statement about how organizations allow the placement of the unprepared. The worst cases are elected officials who take positions for which no entry criteria existed as framework for public voting.
The defining factor for the unprepared is their passion for learning. Those who have it, make it. The implication is that assessing for learning passion is as critical as assessment for technical and people skills. Everyone who takes on leadership roles learn their way into these roles.
March 22nd, 2007 17:21
“…organizations allow the placement of the unprepared… The defining factor for the unprepared is their passion for learning. The implication is that assessing for learning passion is as critical as assessment for technical and people skills.”. Yes! I’m glad someone else sees this - I thought I was the lone wolf howling at the moon
March 23rd, 2007 18:04
You are not lone in your howling; it is something to howl about. And being this realistic and clear helps wih understanding why these people struggle to be good leaders, as we would struggle to be anything we’re unprepared to be. This is why things like succession planning are so evidently critical.