3 What makes a good or bad leader?
Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, it’s always about the goal.
Most of us have anecdotal stories about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ leaders we have come across. It might be a headteacher at school, a previous boss, a football manager, or one of the numerous political leaders we see coming in and out of office. But have you ever thought in any depth about precisely what it is that makes some leaders more successful than others? The following activity helps you to do that.
Activity 3 ‘Good’ and ‘bad’ leaders
Firstly, think of two people:
- One whom you would describe as a good leader. They don’t have to hold a formal position of leadership but should be someone you believe leads people in an effective way. It could be someone you have worked with, a personal friend or a high-profile figure from history or the present day.
- The other should be someone you feel lacks leadership qualities, even though they are in a position of leadership. Again, this could be someone you know personally, have heard about from a friend, or a high-profile figure.
Make brief notes which explain why you identified these particular people as leaders, and what you feel makes them a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ leader.
Discussion
The way we judge other people’s leadership is as personal as our own approach to leadership. Some leaders adopt a particularly authoritarian style which some might admire, whereas others find it threatening. You may have chosen high-profile leaders who you feel have made a difference, and again your assessment of their style is likely to be very personal. High-profile leaders often divide opinion, and this can be in part a reflection of whether we share their vision. You may have selected much more personal examples of leaders you are familiar with, such as a friend who is an active volunteer and is always inspiring people to join their latest fundraiser, or a boss who always has time to listen to their team.
Did you mention care in your notes for the previous activity at all? Some leaders go to great lengths to demonstrate a caring approach towards others, whilst for others the pressures of leadership lead them to forget the importance of treating others with care. Were your examples in the previous activity ‘careful’ or ‘careless’ leaders?
Whilst our own preferences for leadership style and approach may vary, research suggests there are some consistent components which need to be recognised and considered.