Reflecting on Three Decades of Leadership: Experiences, Insights, and Evolution

Bosses, managers, leaders – three terms that are often used as synonyms, even though their differences could not be bigger.

Decisions, Action, Conflicting Interests

At the heart of leadership lies the fundamental ability to make decisions and implement them effectively. Yet, the essence of diverse leadership styles is encapsulated not just in decision-making, but in the nuanced art of listening, analysing, and fostering stakeholder engagement to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the situation at hand. Leadership, inherently, carries a mantle of solitude, a trait that obviously becomes particularly pronounced during challenging times. However, even in periods of relative calm, leadership is lonesome, as leaders stand at the crossroads of divergent stakeholder interests.

In the political arena, leadership requires navigating the conflicting dynamics between the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. In the corporate world, it involves striking a delicate equilibrium among shareholders, customers, and employees – just to name the most obvious stakeholders. Finding the right balance between and acting despite conflicting stakeholder interests is not a very relaxed job.

The task of balancing these often-competing interests, while forging ahead with conviction, is a testament to the complex role of leadership. It's a role that demands resilience, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to achieving a common goal, making it anything but a leisurely pursuit.

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My earliest experiences with leadership

Embarking on my earliest leadership experience at the young age of 22 as a platoon leader in the German army, I was thrown into a social microcosm where leadership was synonymous with assertiveness and authority. With 20 subordinates of similar ages, the challenge was to embody a leadership style that was both commanding and effective, ensuring that decisions were made swiftly, even under the intense pressure and stress that military exercises invariably bring. As subject to the rules of military leadership, indecision was a greater foe than error, for a leader's primary charge was to maintain the momentum and readiness of their troops, guarding against the perils of complacency and inertia.

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This formative phase taught me that leadership, in its most primal form, demanded decisiveness and constant engagement from its practitioners.

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More advanced experiences with different leadership styles

As my career trajectory evolved beyond the military, so did my perception of leadership. It became evident that the concept of leadership was far more nuanced than the stereotypes of "bosses" and "managers" often portrayed. While bosses may command loyalty and managers orchestrate tasks, true leadership transcends these roles, focusing instead on inspiring and guiding others towards a shared vision.

To draw important distinctions:

• Driven by their ego, bosses often stand on the pedestal of authority, demanding unconditional loyalty and asserting their superiority without necessarily contributing to a collective vision. Their leadership style is characterized by an egocentric drive to demonstrate dominance, with the emphasis on winning a power game rather than on transformative impact.
• Driven by fear of failure, managers, on the other hand, are the architects of efficiency within an organization, meticulously aligning tasks, goals, and targets to ensure operational success. Their focus is squarely on the execution of tasks, often sidelining the personal growth and development of their team members in favour of achieving immediate objectives.
• Emotionally engaged, fully committed and fearless – and driven by a clear vision about what it takes to build a much better future, leaders, in contrast, are those characters who cultivate an environment where individuals can thrive, contribute, and align their personal goals with broader strategic ambitions. Effective leadership is about fostering a culture of value orientation, psychological safety, clarity and accountability, mutual respect, and collective ambition. It's about serving and engaging stakeholders, nurturing a shared vision, and embarking on a journey that not only meets organisational goals but also enriches the lives of those involved.

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In sum, the essence of leadership lies not in the wielding of power, but in the empowerment of others. It's a journey from directing to inspiring, from managing to marching together, and from enforcing to engaging.

As I reflect on my 30-year voyage through all perceived leadership styles, the most enduring lesson has been the transformative power of leading with vision, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to the growth and well-being of all stakeholders. Leadership is an art that flourishes on the foundation of vision, energy, empathy, trust, and respect.