Leadership and Pornography

The head of executive coaching at a renowned leadership development center recently conveyed: “Leadership is a lot like pornography -- you just know it when you see it.” Ok, 10 points for honesty.

However, this experience and other recent ones have shed light on an unfortunate truth: Leadership is often left to subjective opinion of those who don’t have a solid grasp of the term – sometimes through no fault of their own. There is no governing body or institution that grants leadership status, nor is there any widely held standard. Particularly not in corporate or business circles.

Some may say, “hey, wait a second, doesn’t that represent an opportunity for coaches and consultants touting themselves as leadership experts (present company included?)”

Well, yes and no. Yes, ambiguity always represents opportunity. But no, that doesn’t mean the same opportunity always affords unique status.

We prefer to think of leadership as “unlocking the potential success of others and helping others realize their own success no matter what shape or form.”

Apply this definition to the recently benched head of FEMA emergency operations in Louisiana, and you’ll see quite clearly that Michael Brown didn’t put anyone in position to succeed, much less answer the immediate call either visibly or forcefully. If this is too political for your taste, then consider self-acclaimed corporate leaders active within your sector. What do you look for that defines leadership? If it’s not something that resembles the previous definition, then chances are it’s not leadership.

Considering what we’re currently living through at home and abroad, we may want to expand the definition of leadership to include “instilling a certainty of hope” that success can be achieved despite what may seem like insurmountable odds.

So if you want to be a leader, help others succeed with tangible deeds, not just words or clichés. And while you do, give candid advice and direction, which if the context allows, provides a certainty of hope. The results may surprise you.