Adam Grant’s Post

Sounds like you watched the debate last night, Adam. 😉 Given my background as a communication researcher, I look for "precision" and "function" in the leader's speech - do they give me a clear vision and plan for "us" or do they give me a hazy confusion and vague fear of "the others." We've been in the game too long about "who deserves to be a leader" rather than "who we deserve as our leader." May the USA get the leader their people deserve (and this is a hopeful wish, not a threat, haha).

Unfortunately in many cases narcissistic leaders are the ones in charge creating an unhealthy culture and they get praised for performance

And yet, I understand that the percentage of narcissists in business and political leadership is higher than in the general population. I think it is because they give up less than the humble leaders. Humble leaders need to learn and grow stronger from their mistakes, not just to be willing to admit mistakes or to step aside from leadership because they made a mistake. The ranks of leadership need more humble leaders but that means more humble leaders being willing to stay and stand up over and over in the arena long after they get punched in the nose.

Leadership is not about fitting into three distinct types but rather existing on a spectrum of behaviors. Narcissistic, humble, and learned leadership are not fixed traits but responses to particular situations. The best leaders are adaptive, able to shift along a wide spectrum depending on the demands of the moment, combining confidence, humility, and continuous learning as needed.

This illustrates different energy levels (from an Energy Leadership Index POV) that leaders, indeed we all, have access to: Blaming others: level 2 energy Gracious defeat and accepting mistakes: could be level 3 or 4 Learning from missteps: level 5! As a leadership and career coach, I help leaders know where they're coming from and how to make more conscious and productive choices about how they show up for themselves and their people.

This IMHO is the essence of servant leadership - putting your people first over yourself. So rarely practiced, in my experience.

When leaders can be vulnerable and authentic, have a growth mindset, and approach situations with grace and humility, it is amazing how much can be accomplished. It sets the tone for the entire team. Leaders must model healthy and constructive behaviors. Having a sense of humor also helps tremendously. Remove the ego and logic and reasoning will take over. The way we learn is to humbly admit mistakes and shortcomings and strive to learn from them. It is always a sign of strength, not weakness. Peace everyone!

Leading is fraught with challenges. If your ego is in the way of clearly understanding the challenge, including your own role - how can the challenges ever be overcome and turned into growth? The real question is how do you transition from the insecurity and fear of the "narcissist" to the confidence and psychological safety of the humble leader? I wonder if the supposed narcissist are swimming in dangerous waters - nothing creates a bigger narcissist than swimming in a pool of other narcissists.

Donald Trump taking notes... kidding, of course he's not.

I believe that leadership is one of the most misunderstood concepts out there. Most people that get promoted into leadership roles see themselves as the person that will decide anything and that they should be the centre of attention. This assessment couldn’t be further from the truth. This is leadership. https://thegentleforce.me/p/how-to-be-a-great-leader