The leadership thing – a unique perspective
| Date | 24 February 2020 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-12-2019-0090 |
| Pages | 71-74 |
| Published date | 24 February 2020 |
| Author | Edward Mazze,Stanley Davis |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour,Employee behaviour |
The leadership thing –a unique
perspective
Edward Mazze and Stanley Davis
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to surface the misdirection of certain accepted organization
developmentand executive compensation practices.
Design/methodology/approach –Against a backdrop of academic leadership studies, this paper
engages the authors’ hands-onexpertise drawn from their joint 100 plus years of organization building
experience.
Findings –The pragmatic considerationof leaders’ performance and potential boilsdown to assessing
their attitude,skills, knowledge and impact.
Originality/value –This paper exposesthe inadvertent effect of some common customs and policieson
organizations.
Keywords Leadership, Business, Government, Social organization
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The leadership thing is a creationfrom complex stuff, but maybe we make it too complex. At
his/her roots, a leader is an ordinary person who has to do extraordinarythings. Whether for
a business, government or social organization, great leaders evolve from ordinary people
who stretch beyond their comfort zone. They take calculated risks, and when even their
most prudent risks generate somefailures, they internalize the lessons.
People who strengthen or grow their own organizations take the time to understand the
organizations of clients and suppliers –they get out of their office and off of their golf carts
to visit on-site. They hire people who have track records for quantifiable results and then
support and grow them further. When it comes time for a pizza for employees, they not only
buy the pizza but also sit with employees to enjoy the meal and the conversation and
appreciate the people.
Assessing leadership
There are countless ways to assess the leadership qualities we seek for business, politics,
sports or our own communities.Recognizing that the ability to assess leaders is an essential
proficiency for leaders themselves, and a great place to start is with simple measures of
great leaders: attitude,skill and knowledge (A.S.K.).
Attitude
We are regularly reminded of our expectationfor ethical behavior when we see the unethical
behavior. We know how a single lapse in ethics undercuts long-term credibility and trust. A
productive attitude embraces and transcends what is ethical, legal and moral. It includes
Edward Mazze is based at
University of Rhode Island,
Kingston, Rhode Island,
USA. Stanley Davis is
based at Standish
Executive Search LLC,
Providence, Rhode Island,
USA.
DOI 10.1108/SHR-12-2019-0090 VOL. 19 NO. 2 2020, pp. 71-74, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1475-4398 jSTRATEGIC HR REVIEW jPAGE 71
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