The disease of rivalry and vainglory. When appearances, our perks, and our titles become the primary object in life, we forget our fundamental duty as leaders—to “do nothing from selfishness or conceit but in humility count others better than ourselves.” [As leaders, we must] look not only to [our] own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Gary Hamel
For many years I resisted the idea that everyone is a leader. I argued, as forcefully and logically as I could, that not even all those persons with the formal authority to lead are actually leaders, let alone that one could seriously sustain that everyone is a leader.
Several years later, I find myself on the other side of the debate, arguing in favour of what I objected to before. Why? Two words: Gray hair.
Experience has shown me that every person exercises leadership during several moments of their day and with several people. The role has not always been delegated, sometimes it is not even noticed by the one playing the leadership role, but if you pay attention and if you ask around, you will realize that the leadership is clearly understood by many, if not all, of those being led.
Whether at home, at work, at school, for a special assignment, during a game, at sports, or even at parties, if you take time to carefully observe, you will witness all kinds of leaders in action. Some lead for a brief period, others for long ones. Some are respected, others feared. Some are negative and others are positive leaders. The fact of the matter is that everyone exercises leadership at different levels and at different times.
Ever since I accepted this premise, I take the time to observe group dynamics and it is fascinating to discover how they evolve depending on their leaders and the team members’ interaction. It is even more fascinating when the formally appointed leader does not exercise leadership and someone else fills the gap.
As a result of these observations, I’ve noticed that the ‘disease of rivalry and vainglory’ is by no means the exclusive remit of the appointed leaders. It can easily be acquired and transmitted by any team member, starting with seemingly inconsequential decisions, such as using the work assets for personal gain, organizing business trips and official missions as a means to stay home or with family, abusing the employer’s good faith by expecting them to procure and provide items for personal enjoyment, or simply ‘milking the cow’ i.e. finding the slightest opportunity to reap every possible benefit from the company without equal zeal finding ways to maximize its contribution.
I like the explanation given by Simon Sinek about companies not being established to make money, just as much as cars are not created to burn fuel. Companies and organizations are created to add value, to deliver something that people want or need, and if they do justice to their mission, they can make money, initiating a virtuous cycle.
By the same token, leaders and workers are hired to materialize the organization’s mandate, the company’s goal, the ‘raison d’ etre’, not to maximize their benefits through perks, titles, unjustified gains, or dishonest practices. Pope Francis rightly identifies this as a ‘disease’, in as much as those infected have lost track of why they are part of their company or organization.
Unfortunately, the ones infected with this highly contagious virus, normally go down a spiral of abuse and discontent. Yes, you read me well, discontent. It is common knowledge -please look at your working environment and tell me if you can validate this statement- that the majority of those focused on ‘milking the cow’ at every opportunity is also the less engaged ones; the apathetic ones, the people who try -and some times even get- the most of the organization or company, but are never satisfied.
I pray that you are not infected with this virus nor near a person that could transmit it to you. The best vaccine I can think of at this moment is Proper Performance Management and Servant Leadership. What do you think? Any other ideas?
As I wrapped my mind around this topic, I recalled the famous quote by President Kennedy in his inauguration speech: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” What are we -you and I- doing for our families, our companies, our organizations, our neighborhoods, our communities, our countries?