Leadership is a deviation from the norm

There is an unwritten rule in many organisations that is not spoken about but is there none the less and it's to make everything normal and standard.

How does this happen? This is done, not by voting or by the decree of some management overlord, but by the inherent need for control and stability. Normal doesn't really require that much leadership, it actually requires a simpler thing, good management and that is because 'normal' can be performance managed and motivated within normal everyday boundaries.

What is normal? If normal is the 'capacity of a human being' to be curious, challenging, engaging and highly driven', then that's different to the normal of 'habituated survival' where people have over time learned the penalties for not agreeing, being seen to support or willing to work as hard as they are told.

For "normal" people, if you treat them well, respect them, create a space where they can practice the proverbial autonomy, mastery and purpose tripartite then all is good. However pause!

It's not straight forward. "Normal" in this day and age is not an easy distinction, primarily as the workplace is home to multiple demographics, age ranges, educations and expectations......more than have ever existed previously.

Leadership though the act of the individual has to operate in an environment that allows it the license to exist and make its own decisions in the context and for the greater good of the business.

The problem. Many people find themselves being asked to lead within very tight parameters, to the point that they may well be considered constraints. We are not yet anywhere near what the corporate brochure is offering.

For a business to thrive is has to be able to house a full spectrum of mindsets and behaviors, which as long as all aimed at the same outcome and focused through a lens of selflessness, should (in theory at least), be the the differentiation.

In truth. It appears that there is a constant fight and I sense it is one that will never end, however it will have to be constantly fought. The battle lines are the needs and drivers of those with the most to gain and lose financially vs. those who recognise the need for profit but temper that with the the need of the human being and the need of society.

Normal is good and we all have elements of normal in us, we also all have the deviation from the norm within us, the battle is the permission to not only perceive the value in both aspects but to require it as an indication of mental health and benefit to the business.

My belief. Is that a key indicator of corporate health is and will be the ability of a manager, team and business to operate within a full spectrum of 'normal behavior to get the job done' and 'the deviations from the norm behaviour' from the same person/team in order to navigate complexity.

Summary. I believe we should cultivate 'standard deviation' as a competence because that's how we will navigate the wicked and complex times we find ourselves in..

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Guy Bloom is a Leadership Evolutionist with a commitment to bring the future of leadership into the present day and help businesses create a sustainable, legacy driven, commercially savvy environment.