Effective leadership is vital for driving positive change in a complex world. However, many view leadership as a position of authority rather than a practice accessible to all. We can create a more engaged and sustainable society by recognizing that anyone can develop leadership skills and influence others.
On Leadership … with Christien Oudshoorn | Joep C de Jong (source)
In this inspiring talk, Christien beautifully captures the essence of Leadership. She emphasizes how true leadership is not about power or status but about fostering genuine connections in a world full of noise and division. By encouraging us to slow down and reconnect with ourselves and others, Christien reminds us that leadership is about relationships—both with ourselves and with the world around us. This approach to leadership is rooted in empathy, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for human potential, making it a truly transformative and liberating experience.
Anyone can develop and exercise leadership skills, regardless of their formal role or title. By recognizing that each individual has the potential to lead and make a difference, we can foster a more engaged and proactive society where people at all levels contribute their unique perspectives and talents.
However, leadership also requires a strong moral compass and the ability to think critically. History has shown that influence without integrity can lead to disastrous consequences.
Ultimately, encouraging everyone to find their voice, take responsibility, and work towards meaningful change is crucial for addressing our time’s pressing challenges and building a more sustainable future.
The difference between a manager and a leader
Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.
The job of managers is “to manage things.” They manage resources, facilities, and people.
They are good at managing projects and meeting deadlines. They follow the plan and strategy and get the job done.
Managers are appointed – by the Board or by more senior executives. You cannot make yourself a manager.
On the other hand, leaders look to the world for trends, opportunities, and risks and establish a plan—a strategy—for the future direction.
The relationship between managers and leaders
It’s important to understand that management and leadership are closely related concepts, but they are not interchangeable.
Management involves organizing, planning, and controlling resources and processes to achieve specific goals.
Conversely, leadership involves inspiring, motivating, and guiding people toward a shared vision or purpose.
While all managers need to possess some level of leadership skills to manage their team effectively, not all managers are inherently good leaders.
Similarly, not all leaders have the necessary management skills to execute their vision effectively. However, the best leaders and managers balance both skill sets, allowing them to effectively manage resources and inspire their team to achieve a common goal.
Appointed and natural leaders
There are two types of leaders: appointed leaders and natural leaders.
First, there are designated leaders—senior managers appointed to lead the organization.
In most contexts, such as business books or articles, the word leader is synonymous with top management.
These managers may or may not be good leaders, but leading is their appointed job.
Second, there are the natural leaders of the world – inside and outside of organizations.
Anyone who has a sphere of influence can be considered a leader.
Anyone can lead; anyone can practice leadership. If you have influence and followers, then you are a leader.
No one gives you this form of leadership – it does not come through appointment; it comes from your influence.
Everyone has influence. For some people, their circle of influence is small; for others, it is substantial.
A blogger with a broad readership has a large circle of influence and is thus a thought leader.
And in an organization, experts in their field are leaders within their domain.
Leadership is a choice. You can choose to influence people positively, or you can opt to keep quiet and choose to minimize your influence, but you can never not influence.
Influencing people is a form of doing things to them. A good leader is both an influencer and is ready to be influenced.
Anyone can become a more influential leader by speaking up, engaging in conversation, forging healthy relationships, and listening more. This is the essence of Conversational Leadership.Most people think of leadership as a position and therefore don’t see themselves as leaders.
So when I talk about leadership and management, when I refer to the appointed leaders in an organization, I call them senior management, sometimes top management, or occasionally appointed leaders. Never, just leaders.
This distinction leaves me free to use the word leader for anyone who practices leadership regardless of their position or authority.
Leadership is a practice, not a position of authority | Ronald Heifetz (source)
What is the work of leadership? | Patricia Shaw (source)
We all have to lead at different times, we all have to contribute and find our voices and find what’s meaningful.
I think this world is in trouble in a lot of ways and we need smart people everywhere … we just need everyone engaged.
Credit: Eileen Fisher
What the Word Originally Meant
The word leadership feels modern, but its roots are old.
It comes from leader, which entered English in the fourteenth century from Old English lædere, linked to the verb lædan, meaning to guide, show the way, or bring others along. At its heart is a simple idea: going before and moving with others.
The suffix -ship, from Old English -scipe, refers to a state or practice. We see it in words like friendship and fellowship. These are not titles but ongoing ways of relating.
Taken together, leadership originally meant the practice or condition of guiding others. It described an activity rather than a position.
What We Added Later
What the word did not originally include is equally revealing.
There is no inherent reference to authority, hierarchy, or control. Those associations developed later, shaped by military, political, and bureaucratic traditions. Over time, leadership became tied to rank, power, and formal responsibility.
In many organisations today, leadership is still understood this way, as something conferred by appointment and exercised over others.
The earlier meaning is quieter and more relational. It assumes shared movement. It assumes others are present. It assumes that direction is being worked out together.
Leadership as a Conversational Practice
This older sense aligns closely with what I mean by Conversational Leadership.
If leadership is about guiding and moving together, then conversation is central. It is in conversation that direction is clarified, questioned, and reshaped. It is where people test assumptions, surface differences, and make sense of uncertainty.
Conversational Leadership treats conversation not as a soft skill or an optional extra, but as the medium through which leadership actually happens.
Leadership, in this sense, is not confined to role or title. It emerges wherever people help a group think clearly, decide wisely, and move forward together.
As we face the challenges of our interconnected world, it is crucial to recognize that leadership is a practice, not just a position. By developing our ability to influence and inspire others while acting with integrity, we can all play a role in driving positive change and creating a more sustainable future.
Resources
- Article: The Problem with Heroic Leaders by Mike Myatt
Posts that link to this post
- Frequently Asked Questions About Conversational Leadership Conversational Leadership: Key points and myths
- Practice Leadership A Conversational Leadership Practice Area
- The Four Levels of Knowledge Management The relation between Conversational Leadership and Knowledge Management
- What Is Communityship? Where everyone in a community practices leadership
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