Scientific American Minds

Recently, sitting in a Dr’s office I picked up an out of date magazine (August ‘07).

An article, in particular, by Dr’s Reicher, Haslam and Platow confirmed for me – yet again, that this association is on the right track. Let me share with you some scientific knowledge about Leadership. 

 

Leadership has nothing to do with winning charisma, looks, intelligence or even a grand aura of authority. Those leadership traits are not the ultimate keys to greatness. Good leadership is not something you create yourself. Followers (members) have their own ideas and needs.

 

In today’s world leaders must work to understand the values and opinions of the people they intend to lead.

 

The ultimate goal is a constant dialogue about what the group embodies and stands for – and thus how it should act.

 

The best leaders shape what members want to do by understanding the group identity in ways that satisfy the group agendas. 

 

When we refer to leadership what we really mean is the ability to motivate people to act in concert with their social identity.

  

So what? What does that mean scientifically and why does it matter to ESAR members?

 

A leaders effectiveness, no matter how skilled a person may be, does not lie in his/her own hands. Leaders are entirely dependant on followers.

 

The analysis is that for leadership to function well, leaders and members must be bound by a shared identity and by the quest to use that identity as a blue print for action. 

 

I believe ESAR has a great blue print, and is finally united towards an action. The action is professionalism, relationship building and community involvement. The incoming board is full of exceptionally understanding follower members who are investing their time in the association, and you, to lead this organization into and thru the next tumultuous years.  Please support them, thank them and communicate to them your ideas and needs so we can maintain the fabulous dialogue that has developed.

And never forget that it is “you” the member/follower who makes the organization –

 

 

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