Why study and practice leadership?

 Why should we study leadership? And why is leadership is practicing field, just like athletics, law, medicine or accounting?

First, we should ask "does leadership matter?" 

The answer is overwhelmingly YES! Leadership is vital to the success of any organization, large or small, in meeting its goals and mission. Leaders, regardless of formal position, title, or role, are necessary to ensure the constructive movement forward of an organization or team.  

I have spent the last nearly 20 years studying, investigating, and apprehending criminals who have committed fraud or other serious crimes in the workplace or against vulnerable or unsuspecting victims. These individuals are often either the cause, or in some cases, the result of, poor leadership. In organizations, agencies, or companies where strong and effective leadership is not exhibited, people will turn to their own devices and thus cause even wider problems. Picking up the broken shards and re-building the lost trust is a long, expensive, and emotionally difficult journey. Only true leaders can “right the ship” and help ensure the ship doesn’t get blown over or sink due to the problems caused by others. They must do it with grace, emotional intelligence, and a strong ethical core.

Studying these cases and seeing what makes effective leaders—and effective leadership—is an excellent way to investigate how teams can be more effective and can make a difference for the people they serve, since that is ultimately what drives nearly everyone to do a good job. We all want positive outcomes and “feel good” stories, and sometimes we get them, but the reality of leadership is not always easy, fast, cheap, or without stress or pain. But it must be done to ensure society functions well.


Time to reflect.

Leadership most clearly starts with ourselves. That is why studying leadership from a variety of perspectives can help the growth and development of an effective leader. Effectively-led teams are more productive, more focused, and better able to navigate the complexities and uncertainties that we are facing today. In fact, I would argue that in our day and age, the need for effective leadership is now as important as it has ever been. 

Leading takes practice.

If people tell you that leading is easy--don't believe them. it may be one of the most challenging, frustrating, and difficult endeavors we undertake. It's not about the glory, the awards, or the smiling photos...but it is about working with people, helping them develop themselves, and excel as a team. Working with different (and difficult) personalities to come together in a common vision doesn't always produce the results, but we need to try. It is about getting out on the field of play.



“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

--Theodore Roosevelt, Citizenship in a Republic (commonly known as The Man in the Arena speech, April 23, 1910). 


Leadership is hard.

Leadership is not for the faint of heart, and does have challenges, but we are all called to be leaders—because leaders multiply, unify, and engage others. We do not need to have a title or position, or even formal authority, but simply by being present—bringing our full and authentic selves to the situation—we can have tremendous influence over the course of what happens next. Leaders shape the future. That’s what differentiates them from managers; but leaders shape the future with and through the people they lead. Studying and practicing this impactful and essential role in our society—and learning how leadership is done—will be a rewarding and invigorating experience!

Are you ready for the challenge? 


Photo: Thomas Waterman Wood (etching). Thinking It Over, 1884. National Gallery of Art.

Theodore Roosevelt photo. Library of Congress. [Theodore Roosevelt] | Library of Congress (loc.gov)

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