Perceived or real, Americans tend to believe that leadership is lacking in our nation. An Alma College 2007 Study is fairly typical of American reactions to leadership in our country; poor ratings in all questioned areas. The lack of perceived leadership only proves the need for leadership training, but to train new leaders, we must determine the true definition of leadership.
Many people have their own thoughts and beliefs about leadership. Peter Northouse, a professor at Western Michigan and author of Leadership, Theory and Practice gives a working definition when he states "Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal." Simple definitions help to clarify potential problems, but leadership is still an abstract concept. With concrete thinkers like myself, the definition can be more confusing than the concept that is being defined.
I recognized the benefit of using analogies to explain an abstract concept throughout my teaching career. Explaining a concept that involves moving a group brings to mind the romantic images of cowboys on cattle drives in the Old West. People many times have herd-like tendencies (watch what people wear to a sports contest.) Often people tend to have their own ideas that they want to pursue. For this reason, herding cats might be a better analogy.
Regardless of what group you are working with, the key is to get people to achieve a common goal. It is very telling that Americans have such little faith in our leadership that maybe we should teach new and existing leaders how to lead others to a common goal. If we are able to teach others how to "herd cattle" or "herd cats" or "herd the thoughts of people," we will be able to improve our perceived lack of leadership in America.
Many people have their own thoughts and beliefs about leadership. Peter Northouse, a professor at Western Michigan and author of Leadership, Theory and Practice gives a working definition when he states "Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal." Simple definitions help to clarify potential problems, but leadership is still an abstract concept. With concrete thinkers like myself, the definition can be more confusing than the concept that is being defined.
I recognized the benefit of using analogies to explain an abstract concept throughout my teaching career. Explaining a concept that involves moving a group brings to mind the romantic images of cowboys on cattle drives in the Old West. People many times have herd-like tendencies (watch what people wear to a sports contest.) Often people tend to have their own ideas that they want to pursue. For this reason, herding cats might be a better analogy.
Regardless of what group you are working with, the key is to get people to achieve a common goal. It is very telling that Americans have such little faith in our leadership that maybe we should teach new and existing leaders how to lead others to a common goal. If we are able to teach others how to "herd cattle" or "herd cats" or "herd the thoughts of people," we will be able to improve our perceived lack of leadership in America.
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