What is Leadership?
Such a simple question, and yet it continues to vex many people. Most of the time we simply accept the guidance and leadings of someone if we feel our principle matches theirs. In the real truth, leadership stems from a social influence to empower the followers. A good leader is a person who is able to sow the seed of trust and mobilise an action when the need arises. Leadership is not about volume; it is a personal challenge. Leadership should never be transactional, it should be what is best for the others, the community and the world at large.
History Lessons.
In the past, leadership begin with the traditions of the past. It was hereditary. In a more modern setting – traditional leader is an heir to the position. Traditional leadership is the act of inheriting the power from a predecessor. Current example would be the kings, dictators, some family-owned business leaders and even political leaders.
Modern Adaptation of Traditional Leadership
These days, traditional leadership is known to be a ‘top down’ type of leadership. This reflects an authoritarian approach – placing who ever is on the top of the rung automatically and allowing that person to issue orders and commands attention. The military, police and fire departments are excellent depictions of how a traditional leadership works in a modern setting. Another example is the power held by a family run business – the higher the shares held by the family, the decisions and business becomes more autocratic – a good example will be the Trump family businesses. But in all essence, the traditional leadership in modern world simply dictates dictatorship and nepotism.
Look out for these traits
In a modern setting, leaders are seen as controlling and overpowering. These leaders believe that they deserve the power and control because their predecessors held the same traits. These leaders may be distrustful and more often than not can be bias which will normally lead to office politics. The harshest truth to traditional leadership in this contemporary era is that is based on loyalty to the rank and not on talent and hard work.
It can’t be all bad
Traditional leadership does not always spell drawback. Some of the features of the traditional leadership is the ability to lead and influence. Prince William and Prince Harry are very good examples of traditional leaderships – where they are able to bring positive impact to many good causes. Their followers are fiercely loyal and uphold anything these princes venture into or support – making it easier for growth and success.
But does it hold merit?
Sadly, traditional leadership comes with a lot of problems. Leaders who prefer this style are very closed and rarely accept new ideas and prefers domineering over people – which at times can be very tyrannical. A leader who is set in old ways of leading will be unaware of changes and problems within his team or organisation. We can expect a team is led traditionally to have frequent turnovers and is always slow or almost never reacts to any issues. Frustration and backbiting will take over and, in the end, the workspace becomes toxic.
I inherited this position, what do I do?
You may have been a product of traditional leadership, having ascended the throne conventionally – as an heir but this never means you need to lead the way your predecessors did. Modernise your ways, think bigger picture and diversify your thoughts. Be open to ideas and listen – your people will appreciate you for hearing them out. A leader does not lead, he guides. Draw out the strategy so your team can understand your end goal, you will see them taking accountability with more aplomb. The more you guide, the more you learn and the more you gain.
It is never easy being a leader – so many roles, so many risks to consider and not to mention the many people you may be required to manage. Leading is a task you will need to perform with conviction, honesty and integrity. Never think you will never be up to it – leading is a trait that you can learn, everyday teaches you a new lesson that will make you a great leader tomorrow.
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Source:
https://bizfluent.com/info-8469011-emergence-traditional-leadership-styles.html
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0038038518809325