Recently I participated in a leadership seminar. Using the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), we took a survey, tallied results, enjoyed a very
well-done presentation and discovered a few things about ourselves and others.
The presenter asserted that all are leaders, but that we
have different leadership “styles.” I think it might be more accurate to say
that some lead more than others, that some are quite content to sit in the back
seat while someone else drives. No matter. Either way you look at it, it was an
exploration of who we are and what makes us tick, and I dig that kind of thing.
I scored pretty much equally for two types of leading – two types
that normally oppose one another. Well, that explains a lot! I’ve been
pondering them lately and come to the conclusion that they are quite accurate
and there is nothing wrong with exhibiting both sides of the leadership coin.
I scored big in “Encourage the Heart,” which means I am able
to recognize and celebrate the contributions others make. I am someone who “makes
people feel like heroes.” I hope this is true. I do try to look for the
positive in others and to offer them true encouragement. However, my other
style enables me to call people out if they are messed up. I scored equally
high in “Challenge the Process.”
I’m willing to experiment and take risks. I’m willing to
tell pretty much anyone if I disagree with him or her, and yes, I will die on
that mountain. I don’t care too much if people like me. I want to do “what’s
right” and I’m not afraid to speak up. (Well, sometimes I’m afraid, but I do it
anyway, because I HAVE TO.) This part of my style explains why my father would
say, “Cathy, you’d argue with the Good Lord!” and I’d answer, “Yes, but only if
I was right!”
I found it interesting that the presenter portrayed the CTP
personality negatively. (Also interesting that I was the only one in the group
who had their highest score in that category.) He said that CTPers could come
across as harsh and difficult. Come to think of it, ETHers didn’t sound so
great to me either. It was as if all those types did was “have flowers on their
desk” and “want to hug everyone.” Ugghhh.
He also said I was “fascinating” since I was a CTP and an
ETH. (To which I answered, “I am!”)
The more I think about it, the more I wonder if gender
stereotypes played a part in our understanding of leadership. As a CTPer I was
reminded I needed to “watch my tone” when explaining why things weren’t working
as best as I could. As a ETHer I needed to “stop being so emotional.” To me
this sounds like typical reminders for women who try to play a “man’s” game
(i.e. being a leader.)
In one exercise “team” members were invited to comment on
which type was their friend and/or foe. Guess which two types got the least
love? Again, interesting.
So I’m here to do something typically CTP/ETC/Me: I’m going to embrace who I am. I LOVE the
idea of Challenging the Process when the process sucks. People like me are the ones who incite much-needed change. We
are willing to say what no one else has the nerve to say, to do what everyone
else might want to do but is afraid to bring up. I’ll work on my “tone” but, oh
what am I saying, the hell with my tone! My tone is fine. I’m an ETCer too,
remember. I’m always starting with the positive and trying to make others feel
good about themselves. I’m encouraging and I love to recognize others’
accomplishments.
Any way you look at it, the LPI is pretty interesting stuff.
You can find some info about the five “practices of exemplary leadership” here.
(Of course the best leaders combine qualities from all five “types,” which
include Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable
others to Act, and Encourage the Heart.) Which one(s) resonate most with you?
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