Reader Response to:
As Goes the Follower; So Goes
the Leader
By Peter Block
I have a comment on the notion that
we yearn for simple patriarchal realities: The conclusions here are:
1) we prefer patriarchy; 2) we are comfortable as "children" in
relation to our bosses, 3) we don't really want an end to "command
and control," because it just asks too much
of us...
I think this is all true, and it
leaves out something very important: a part of all of us also wants
to end command and control. But: neither followers nor leaders know
how. Having the leader "give permission" (group #3) is a
necessary but not sufficient condition for ensuring that followers
will take that permission.
Consider the metaphorical term, "give me
the keys to the car." Practically speaking, most of us have the
common sense required to precede that handoff to our teen with
some assurance of 1) the practical skills of starting, steering,
clutching, shifting, braking), 2) a grasp of
the consequences--intended and unintended-- of the horsepower they
will be commanding, 3) a knowledge of "the rules of the
road." Analogously, just saying to a group, "participate as equals,"
is like saying to your 16 year old in the back seat of the car, "get
up here and drive this thing!"
My conclusion: Group #3 participants were
right, not cowardly. They knew and asked for exactly what would end
the confusion and insecurity--direction, support, and tools. If those
3 things are not forthcoming, we have 3 classic choices. We can
retreat resentfully to patriarchy (group 1), toss the "keys" back and
expect rides. Or, we can realize that benevolent paternalism (group
2) at least gives us permission to be back seat drivers. Or, we can
hang out in that uncomfortable state (group 3) where we don't have an
easy external source of self-esteem and sense of security--and figure
out on our own the direction, vision, and new skills
required. Ideally, we would be offered a Group 4 option: the
"parent" that provides guidance and lets go gradually with
intelligence and skill.
Lacousiere provided us with the model to
navigate this transition to "adulthood." Once a group makes this
trip, I don't (in my practice) see them content again to simply submit
either to patriarchy or to counter-dependence. Few teens, once
confident behind the wheel and with access to the car, go back to
asking for rides! The fact is, our workplaces and our leaders
systematically teach dependence, and often punish independence and
inter-dependence. Yet the tools for autonomy and
accountability exist, can be taught easily, and can be learned
quickly. Ken Blanchard earned millions outlining the leadership
skills that help us traverse Lacousiere's group stages, taking us out
of the endless cycling between dependence and counter-dependence.
I think the conclusion that we yearn for
dependence leaves out the other side: we also yearn for autonomy, but
we often have neither the roadmap nor the vehicle to get us to that
destination.
thanks for the opportunity to comment,
Trudy
Trudy Cooper & Associates, LLC
Strategic Planning, Organization Development & Mediation
Reprinted with permission from the
author.
|
