Itay Talgam provided several visual examples on how
conductors performed in concerts. These were all excellent metaphors on how
leaders should not and should lead their followers. The importance brought up
from Talgam’s talk was that leaders should take part and be involved with their
followers, but to not be over-involved to the point that leaders sound like the
“big boss”. This concept was very similar from a past assignment from module
three on directive and supportive behaviors.
Greg Bock was a Fire Chief from Alton, a small town of
30,000 in Illinois. Though Bock manages and plays the role of the “big boss” in
his department, he didn’t want his coworkers to have this mentality. Instead,
he showed his care and concerns: which included the 30,000 residents of Alton,
“I’m not there to flex my muscle and show you who the boss is” along with how you
must treat people like “they’re your best friend” (NPR, 2008). The reason Bock chose to lead this way was
because everyone is involved- it’s more
than just commanding and putting out fires.
Leadership is impossible without people, so it is critical
for leaders to meet as many of the needs and want of people while pointing them
to a direction the leader wants. Talgam pointed out a few things for us to keep
in mind. In one example, he showed us a clip of Riccardo Muti’s performance.
Though Muti is performing his “role” as the leader, he seemed too “commanding”
(Talgam, 2009). This was a metaphor that leaders should take part of being a
leader, but to not over-do it. I can relate and understand this message as an
academic advisor. For instance, I can warn and encourage students to take a
class that is rarely offered, but I should never force them to actually take it
because the academic plan belongs to the student- meaning it’s their plan, and
they can take the class however they want it.
Several of Talgam’s examples provided some importance of
empathy. In the very first visual for example, it showed a very happy conductor
that “went” with the music, but doesn’t seem to fully perform his “job” as a
conductor. Talgam stated that this was a partial success (Talgam 2009). As a
leader, it is important for leaders to not be too direct, but they need to have
the ability to connect and share the feelings of others. I use this all the
time as an academic advisor. Especially during difficult times, I try to relate
with the student’s situation, keep in mind of it and implement all these into
my solution. However being too empathetic can also be dangerous in leadership.
As Talgam stated, “people can get annoyed” (Talgam, 2009). Personally, I
believe that this is a similar saying to actions
speak louder than words. Like the video, though being nice and happy is
good, it only aides leadership.
Followers are looking for actions, so it is critical for leaders to keep
directive and empathetic leadership in balance. At the same time, being too
nice can lead followers to take over too much to the point leading becomes
difficult.
References:
NPR.
(2008). A Small-Town Fire Chief Juggles Big Responsibilities. Washington D.C.
doi: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94011870
Talgam,
I. (2009). Lead like the great conductors [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/itay_talgam_lead_like_the_great_conductors/transcript?language=en#t-246000
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