Return to Article: Tricky Business

By Brian Friel bfriel@nationaljournal.com December 21, 2005
  • 13964

    "Leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less." according to John C. Maxwell. This sounds very similar to what Jim Collins is saying. Maxwell was an influential Wesleyan pastor for many years, then began teaching and writing about leadership. Leaders in every type of organization need to recognize that leadership is influence and that influence depends on the character of the leader. This is true in business, the non-profit sector, churches and government.

    Dwight A Jurey Posted December 21, 2005 11:18 AM
  • 13957

    For those of us in government and active in association work, this does not come as a surprise. I've seen corporate managers come into government and completely flame out. I've seen first line supervisors with intense powers of persuasion who on paper were way down in the pecking order but who in actuality were the leaders in their organizations because their co-workers came to them as leaders.

    Command and control is a type of supervisor mode that is ill-suited for getting the most productivity out of government and not-for-profit organizations. I'm glad someone has stood up and said that the business model isn't suited for us. I doubt much will change because the myth is too strong.

    HR Specialist

    GovExec.com reader Posted December 21, 2005 8:00 AM

Post a Comment

To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.

Tricky Business
*
*
*
Vendors Solutions Center