I'm curious how the concept of a Level 5 leader fits into these archetypes. In that concept, popularized by Jim Collins, effective leaders focus more on what is best for the company than on their hero journey and cult of personality. It is almost the polar opposite of the hero leader driving progress through their strength of will and heroics.
What do you see in these concepts as important to existing and aspiring leaders?
Thanks for the comment. I think the concept of "Superleadership" is more akin to Jim Collins' level 5 leaders who "display a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will." I think there is also a fine line in the mythological or hero journey archetype of a leader where some leaders have this happen to them while others purposely and possibly artificially create the mythology. I don't personally know McChrystal but I suspect he's more the former where the mythology was created around him without his participation. He strikes me as pretty humble but with a very strong will.
I think humility and will are two very important concepts for existing or aspiring leaders. The concept of needing a strong will is interesting to me since we don't typically see this as an important leadership trait. We usually see traits like communication, vision, confidence, integrity, etc. but, I've often thought that big projects get accomplished by the sheer will of the leader pushing and finding ways around any obstacle. I also think empathy goes a very long way. People know whether you really care about them and that's important for people to follow someone who really cares about them.
What do you think about these various leadership archetypes? Any resonate more or less with you?
That's a great point: in some cases, a leader creates and amplifies the mythology, while in others, it is created by others in response to their actions. I can completely see a Level 5 leader having a hero mythology form around them but would also expect those leaders to push the narrative to the team, company, and the collective work needed to do great things.
I once heard Roger Martin discuss the attributes of great leaders (or maybe CEO's?) on a podcast, and he described two attributes that really stuck with me: having a strong POV while being open-minded enough to consider alternative POVs. I've strived to strike that balance ever since and found it extremely helpful.
That duality requires the same humility, will/courage, and empathy you are describing and is a helpful framework for me. It reminds me to ask:
Why am I confident in my POV on this?
What are the alternatives?
How/who do I need to engage with to help me understand alternatives, second-order effects, and my blind spots?
Who do I need to bring along on this journey?
That's the leadership path that resonates with me the most. The team leader who dares to push towards a specific direction, the flexibility to adapt as needed, and the emotional intelligence to know that winning is a team sport. That is likely more of the "Superleadership" or Level 5 archetype that the Leader as Hero model that we've celebrated for so long.
I'm going to look for that Roger Martin podcast. One of my favorite sayings that the folks at Etsy taught me was "strong opinions, loosely held." Thanks for reminding me about that.
I think it is included here:
https://fs.blog/knowledge-project-podcast/roger-martin/
I'm curious how the concept of a Level 5 leader fits into these archetypes. In that concept, popularized by Jim Collins, effective leaders focus more on what is best for the company than on their hero journey and cult of personality. It is almost the polar opposite of the hero leader driving progress through their strength of will and heroics.
What do you see in these concepts as important to existing and aspiring leaders?
Thanks for the comment. I think the concept of "Superleadership" is more akin to Jim Collins' level 5 leaders who "display a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will." I think there is also a fine line in the mythological or hero journey archetype of a leader where some leaders have this happen to them while others purposely and possibly artificially create the mythology. I don't personally know McChrystal but I suspect he's more the former where the mythology was created around him without his participation. He strikes me as pretty humble but with a very strong will.
I think humility and will are two very important concepts for existing or aspiring leaders. The concept of needing a strong will is interesting to me since we don't typically see this as an important leadership trait. We usually see traits like communication, vision, confidence, integrity, etc. but, I've often thought that big projects get accomplished by the sheer will of the leader pushing and finding ways around any obstacle. I also think empathy goes a very long way. People know whether you really care about them and that's important for people to follow someone who really cares about them.
What do you think about these various leadership archetypes? Any resonate more or less with you?
That's a great point: in some cases, a leader creates and amplifies the mythology, while in others, it is created by others in response to their actions. I can completely see a Level 5 leader having a hero mythology form around them but would also expect those leaders to push the narrative to the team, company, and the collective work needed to do great things.
I once heard Roger Martin discuss the attributes of great leaders (or maybe CEO's?) on a podcast, and he described two attributes that really stuck with me: having a strong POV while being open-minded enough to consider alternative POVs. I've strived to strike that balance ever since and found it extremely helpful.
That duality requires the same humility, will/courage, and empathy you are describing and is a helpful framework for me. It reminds me to ask:
Why am I confident in my POV on this?
What are the alternatives?
How/who do I need to engage with to help me understand alternatives, second-order effects, and my blind spots?
Who do I need to bring along on this journey?
That's the leadership path that resonates with me the most. The team leader who dares to push towards a specific direction, the flexibility to adapt as needed, and the emotional intelligence to know that winning is a team sport. That is likely more of the "Superleadership" or Level 5 archetype that the Leader as Hero model that we've celebrated for so long.
I'm going to look for that Roger Martin podcast. One of my favorite sayings that the folks at Etsy taught me was "strong opinions, loosely held." Thanks for reminding me about that.
"some kind of Zen warrior who never slept and only ate once a week" -- hmmm... this sounds familiar. :)