Systems Thinking and Leadership

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of leadership beyond the traditional definitions found in popular literature. Starting with an observation of dogs at a lake, they question whether leadership is truly as complex as books suggest or if it's merely dominance. This leads to a historical journey, examining the evolution of leadership ideas from the communal focus of ancient civilizations to the virtue-based leadership of 'Lao Tzu', the 'feminine approach', and the shift towards individualism with Plato and Machiavelli. The speaker critiques the 'Great Man Theory' and modern literature's emphasis on 'dietic influence', suggesting these promote a return to selfish individualism. They advocate for a systems thinking approach to leadership, emphasizing collective action and collaboration over dominance. The talk concludes with a call to consider leadership as a system-wide contribution rather than an individual trait, potentially leading to more effective and collaborative outcomes.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The concept of leadership may be more nuanced than what is presented in popular literature.
• 🐾 Observations from nature, such as dogs at play, can provide insights into leadership dynamics.
• 📚 Early thoughts on leadership, like those from Laozi, emphasized virtue and community improvement.
• 🧍‍♂️ Plato introduced the idea of a philosopher king, suggesting leadership is about guiding those who cannot see the whole picture.
• 👑 Machiavelli's 'The Prince' shifted the focus to the leader's goals, reflecting a more self-centered view of leadership.
• 👴 Thomas Carlyle's 'Great Man Theory' posited that history is shaped by the actions of a few influential individuals.
• 🤨 Critics argue the 'Great Man Theory' overlooks the impact of systemic factors on historical events.
• 💭 Modern leadership literature often focuses on 'dietic influence', where leaders manipulate followers to achieve their goals.
• 🌐 Systems thinking encourages a broader perspective, considering the entire system and its interrelated parts, rather than just the leader.
• 🤝 A collective approach to leadership, where everyone in the system contributes, may lead to more effective and collaborative outcomes.
• 🌟 The speaker suggests that true leadership might be about enhancing collaboration and moving away from dominance.

Q & A

What is the speaker's initial observation about leadership that sparked their research?

The speaker's initial observation was about a dog that seemed to naturally assume a leadership role among other dogs at a park, which made them question the complexity of leadership as described in literature.

How does the speaker describe the shift in the concept of leadership from the past to the present?

The speaker describes a shift from a focus on collective action and community in ancient times to a more individualistic and dominance-focused approach in modern leadership theories, with an emphasis on the leader's goals rather than the followers' well-being.

Who is Daniel Smil, and what does he discuss in the context of the speaker's talk?

Daniel Smil is a historian who talks about 'deep history,' a period with no records but significant for the beginning of meaningful community and civilization. The speaker uses Smil's insights to emphasize that communities created our humanness, not the other way around.

What is the 'Dao De Jing' and how does it relate to the speaker's discussion on leadership?

The 'Dao De Jing' is an ancient Chinese text written by Lao Tzu that emphasizes virtue and a feminine, networked, and gentle approach to leadership. It is significant in the speaker's discussion as it represents an early view of leadership focused on improving the lives of followers.

How does the speaker connect the ideas of Plato and the 'great man theory' of leadership?

The speaker connects Plato's ideas to the 'great man theory' by highlighting Plato's metaphor of the cave, where he suggests that a philosopher king, who has experienced reality, should lead the rest. This represents a shift towards the idea that history is shaped by great individuals, rather than collective efforts.

What is the Machiavellian view of leadership as described by the speaker?

The Machiavellian view of leadership, as described by the speaker, is one where followers exist to accomplish the leader's goals, rather than the leader working to improve the situation of the followers. This perspective is seen as a return to selfish individualism.

Who is Thomas Carlyle, and what is his contribution to the concept of leadership discussed by the speaker?

Thomas Carlyle is a historian who coined the term 'great man theory of leadership.' He proposed that every significant event in history can be attributed to the actions of one or a few great men, which the speaker critiques for not considering systemic factors.

What is the speaker's perspective on the current literature's focus on systems thinking in leadership?

The speaker believes that while systems thinking is important, some authors mistakenly focus on the leader as the central agent of the system. The speaker argues that a true systems approach requires looking at the entire system and the interactions of all agents within it.

How does the speaker propose that leadership should be understood in the context of systems thinking?

The speaker proposes that leadership should be understood as a system where everyone contributes rather than being the domain of a single individual. This approach emphasizes collaboration over dominance and aligns with the collective nature of humanity.

What is the speaker's conclusion about the nature of leadership?

The speaker concludes that leadership might be better understood as a collective effort rather than an individual trait. They suggest that focusing on collaboration and the contributions of everyone in the system could lead to better outcomes and a more accurate representation of human nature.

Why does the speaker believe it's important to reevaluate our understanding of leadership?

The speaker believes it's important to reevaluate our understanding of leadership because it could lead to enhanced experiences, greater results, and a more collaborative approach that aligns with the collective nature of human communities.

What does the speaker suggest as a potential flaw in the way leadership is often portrayed in literature?

The speaker suggests that a potential flaw in the way leadership is often portrayed is the focus on dominance and individualism, which may not accurately reflect the collaborative and collective nature of effective leadership within human systems.