The ‘zombie leadership’ ideas that refuse to die and rules to boost your productivity

This week, we look at IBM’s dramatic office ultimatum and provide the latest on the push to legislate a federal right to disconnect.

But first: is leadership a special skill limited to special people, or is that an idea that needs to go in the bin?

The news | In a recent paper published in The Leadership Quarterly, University of Queensland psychology professor Alex Haslam argues in strong and colourful terms that it’s most certainly the latter.

The details | In fact, he and his co-authors argue that it’s one of many so-called “zombie leadership” ideas – myths that have been repeatedly debunked but nevertheless refuse to die .

Among these ideas are the claims that only leaders can lead and that leaders have qualities that set them apart from ordinary people. The researchers argue that these ideas have survived not because they are supported by evidence, but because they support the interests of the powerful and appeal to “the powerless who have lost hope in their ability to direct their own lives”.

Why it matters | Haslam says calling out and challenging zombie leadership is important because it worsens inequality, sows disadvantage and is bad for business. He says you only need to compare the average pay packet of a CEO with the average pay packet of their workers to understand what he means by that first point.

Some of the downsides of zombie leadership would be tolerable if they otherwise led to effective leadership that delivered benefits to everyone, the researchers argue. “But they don’t. Mountains of research support this conclusion.”

What’s the alternative? | Haslam and his co-authors argue that leadership should be grounded in relationships and connections and be about the activities of collectives not just individuals. “Once you make it all about ‘me’ and not about ‘us’, well, you destroy the very thing that you’re meant to be fixing,” Haslam tells The Financial Review.

His plan to stave off the zombie apocalypse is a simple one: clearly spell out the key components and flaws of zombie leadership, and counter them with a more accurate definition of leadership. And he wants you to join the fight.

Other news | Elsewhere, we review data on the perks employees like most, hear the four words that help a leading CEO deal with stressful situations , and get the lowdown on good meeting etiquette from BOSS Young Executives at AGL Energy and Woolworths Metro .

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In the C-Suite

Cameras on, no multitasking: meeting rules that boost productivity

Response, rest, recharge and resilience. These are the four Rs that AGL Energy renewables guru Naureen Alam uses to cope with stress at work.

The first involves interrogating the feeling when it arises. Alam says “stressed” is an ambiguous term, so she likes to conduct a more in-depth analysis by asking herself: are you overwhelmed? Are you afraid? Are you nervous? She says this process helps her select the most appropriate response.

Meanwhile, resilience is about building one’s mental and physical fitness, rest is about being able to disconnect, and recharge “is all about having something that fills your cup, that brings you joy”.

“That’s a bit of a new one for me,” Alam, a 2023 BOSS Young Executive, says. “I used to work really hard and rest, but what I was finding was I actually needed something that I really enjoy, to have that right balance.”

In an interview with reporter Tess Bennett , Alam also breaks down her two rules for having effective meetings : cameras on, and no multitasking.

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