Zombie
or Robot, what’s your leadership style?
As
you may know, I am not only a practitioner of leadership, I am also its
student. I read about leadership, study leaders and leadership in depth, learn
from the masters in the field, and even have conducted my own research in
leadership. All that scholarship and observation has let me to this conclusion:
In terms of leadership style, people resemble either Zombies or Killer Robots.
Yes, with such conclusions and insights, I will soon be considered a GIANT in
the field of leadership and management studies! It’s just a matter of time
before this blog is considered required reading a Wharton or Harvard!
Obviously,
I am attempting be humorous about such conclusions but let’s look at the two as
a metaphor when it comes to effective leadership traits. For starters, with
Zombies, slow and steady wins the race (if not a human snack!) but they are
easily distracted by shiny objects (and if you stood in line for more than an hour for an IPone6, you know what I mean!) Killer Robots on the other hand, are
incredibly fast and efficient though they do have trouble with simpler tasks
like making copies or negotiating stairs!
How
about communication, a key leadership trait? Zombies are very earnest but tend
to just mumble and groan incoherently (which makes them great at 1:1 meetings but lousy public speakers!). Killer Robots, on the other hand, possess
a neural network that allows for instantaneous communication but they do tend
to come across a bit impersonal and very directive!
How
each style approaches the relational aspects of leadership is very different, too.
Killer Robots are not what you would consider “people persons”. They shoot
death rays without any consideration for people’s feelings in the matter. Zombies,
well, they just love people . . . . mostly as entrees! (sorry, I just could not
resist!)
Seriously,
discovering your leadership style is incredibly helpful in improving your
personal effectiveness as a leader. If you would like to experience the entire
Zombie/Killer Robot leadership style workshop (it’s actually a lot of fun
and a good conversation starter), contact me and let's set something up! I also can
connect you with other more serious inventories that will provide powerful
insights on how you prefer to lead others.
As
always, if I can help you Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would love
to hear from you.
Yours
in Leadership,
Bill
Faulkner
Co-Founder
– Out Loud Strategies
Independent
Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team TM
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