Introduction

Welcome to the Tri-Delta Leadership blog. I am Dr. Mark A. Arvisais, Assistant Professor of Management at Stevenson University, Brown School of Business and Leadership.

I dedicate this blog to all leaders, workers, supervisors, managers, vice-presidents, presidents and CEOs who are interested in the science and art of leading and leadership.

Leading and leadership are confusing terms. Most of us, through direct observation, have developed our own unique implicit idea of what we believe leading and leadership are about. Unfortunately, we are often presented with poor examples to develop these beliefs. For instance, while our national and local political environments provide good theater for us to observe leaders, we intuitively know that the resulting dramas and behaviors rarely depict good models of leading. That is, politicians tend to focus on winning elections, and their debates and rants often violate the very principles of leading effectively that are so important in our business environments. For example, being authentic is a key characteristic of successful leadership.

Therefore, this blog will avoid a discussion of political figures unless something rare happens (like a politician decides to lead). Instead, the concentration will be on business leaders (profit or non-profit) with an emphasis on their behaviors and the corresponding outcomes. The posts will often be supported by a behavioral profile keying in on the leader's actions, behaviors and characteristics. It is often fascinating to pick apart a behavior and see what results. The profiles are assembled from public writing about a given leader and will serve as a learning tool. The reader can then decide whether the leader is effective. Certainly I won't be bashful about sharing my opinions and thoughts.  

Reading and analyzing a leader's behavior is a good step in developing one's own style. This is what the blog hopes to provide.

Since there is often confusion about the concept of leadership and what it means, it is important to begin with a definition to help frame your thinking when you are reading the commentary. I have selected the following definition from among the hundreds and possibly thousands available:

“Leadership [is] an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purpose.” ¹
[italics added]

I have chosen this characterization because it includes the essential components of leading and leadership. First, it mentions the two most important people in the equation --leaders and followers. Second, it distinguishes leadership as a process focused on change, that is, moving the business from its current place to the next. Third, it positions leadership within a context and finally, it orients leadership in service of a business' purpose (e.g. profits, shareholder value, societal benefits, etc.).

The act of being a leader is an important role, but as represented in this definition it is not the whole; leaders and followers achieve outcomes together and within a given situational context. I reject the notion that leaders are more important than followers.

Many also have a difficult time separating leadership from management. In practice, the activities and purposes are different. Leadership is about change, and management is about supporting the business.

 “Management [is] the attainment of organizational goals in an effective and efficient manner through planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling organizational resources.”² 

Thus, effective management helps the organization run well so that it can achieve the necessary changes to move forward. An effective leader cannot attain the benefits of leadership without an efficient and effective management foundation. Leadership and management are inseparable and complementary activities.

This blog endeavors to provide thoughtful commentary on the practice of effective leadership and management. Posts will discuss and describe (1) the actual behavior of leaders (using behavioral profiles), (2) recent scholarly research, (3) business cases and (4) current events. When possible, the posts will include references to support its ideas and links so the reader can locate additional readings and information on a topic. 

Please enjoy this blog and feel free to make comments and share your ideas and thoughts.

References

¹ Daft, R. L. (2008, p. 4), The Leadership Experience. Mason, Ohio, Thomson Southwestern.

² Daft, R. L. (2008, p. 14), The Leadership Experience. Mason, Ohio, Thomson Southwestern.