Evolution of Leadership
When introducing and discussing concepts of modern leadership, including behavioural attributes and common practices, students are often heavily influenced by their prior knowledge of what they view as a “leader”. Typical prior leaders include parents, teacher/student, and entry-level job supervisors such as fast-food or retail. In many cases, this prior knowledge presents aspects of “traditional” leadership that requires almost an un-learning to fully accept the idea that leadership can be done differently. For example, the concept that a leader must know as much or more than their follower is a common prior concept that challenges the modern view of the leader as servant.
To use an analogy, I use a whiteboard to draw a graphical image of a typical leader/follower relationship expressed as an organizational chart. I then describe some of the changes in organizations over the years such as advent of technology, increasing the number of direct reports and flattening of the organizational heirarchy. We then draw another more “modern” organizational chart. Using these diagrams and guided inquiry, the students explore how a leader’s role has evolved and how a leader needs other knowledge, skills and abilities than what was required in the past.
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