Leader as a Pastor

In the next decade the most effective leaders are those who Guideline behind his company, not those who sit on the front line. This statement is Nelson Mandela. In its autobiography former president of South Africa compare great leader with a shepherd: “He stands behind his flock, allowing the most nimble step forward, followed by others, without realizing that all along been guided by him.”This is a concept whose time has come, says Harvard Business Review, here’s why:

The psychological contract between the company and employees is changing. People are looking for more meaning and purpose in work and life. Expected to be increasingly valued and want to see its contribution to the company. They want to be co-authors of the history of the company in which they work.

Companies do not need occasional acts of innovation and the continuous breakthrough innovations that are a key driver of competitiveness. Nobody needs a lone genius, iPod or Pixar are not the product of one man. Innovations are usually the result of collaboration. Breakthrough came when regular employees do extraordinary things.

Leaders can promote the progress of ideas, not by creating followers, and by building communities that may think differently. If you are looking for innovation, there is little reason to mobilize people and follow them everywhere. If you want your team to produce something original, do not need to know where you are going and what follows.

This lead to the back does not mean to put aside their leadership responsibilities. After all, if we return to the theory of Mandela, the shepherd is the one that ensures that the herd stays together and keeps it where there is danger.

Those who sit behind their team and those who are used to guide the front. This raises the question whether we have enough leaders who can create collective genius.