Talent Management magazine is a trademark of MediaTec Publishing Inc. All talentmgt.com and Talent Management magazine content © Copyright 2011 MediaTec Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is illegal to copy, reproduce or publish any information contained on talentmgt.com or in Talent Management magazine without express written permission from MediaTec Publishing Inc.
Autonomy or autocracy. Rules or freedom. Which kind of leadership style works for you? This is not a trick question. While the word “freedom” resonates emotionally with most managers in Western countries, there are good arguments to be made for and against too much employee autonomy at work. Many great leaders swear by the rule book. It avoids confusion, office politics and legal issues. Everybody knows where they are supposed to be, when, doing what. Football coaches in particular - like Nick Saban of the national champion college football team at the University of Alabama and Tom Coughlin of the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants, swear by their “process” and rule book. My friend Coughlin, when he coached the Jacksonville Jaguars in Florida, wouldn’t let his assistants wear sunglasses on the solar-drenched practice field. Why? It was against the rules, no other reason, and establishing and enforcing rules is key to his leadership style. And it works.
Others are quite the opposite. Back when I was responsible for a large corporate function, I erred on the side of maximum freedom and did OK. “Smart people don’t want to be managed,” was my thinking, and there are many of you who feel the same way. Creativity and rules are oxymoronic, goes this line of reasoning, and many are the leaders who employ this style successfully. The great basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, in his book on leadership, says over-reliance on rules is an abrogation of leadership. And with four national championships on his resume, it is hard to argue.
Another way to consider the different styles of leadership is whether you believe collective efforts deliver the best results, or that top performance is a byproduct of individual excellence. If you support the collectivist approach, rules are essential to maintain group cohesion and monitor compliance (staying “on track” is a more benign way to describe this). If the latter, rules and process management are seen as impediments.
Take this short quiz to see which is your leadership style. Answer “Agree” or “Disagree” to each question:
1) Everybody has to be “all in” for good things to happen.
2) You can never underestimate the power of teams.
3) Without clearly defined roles and assignments, it’s hard to get things done right.
4) Everyone should share credit equally.
If you answered “Agree” to these questions, you are a rules-based leader. Why? Because collective, total team effort requires clear boundaries that are easily understood and everybody follows. And it’s OK to be a rules-oriented leader! It might not sound New Age and cool, but this is the predominant management style in America today.
Now answer these questions, same rules (no pun intended) as before:
1) If you want a mediocre product, put a team in charge.
2) “Hire the best people and get out of the way” is how to lead.
3) Compensation should be based entirely upon merit.
4) Rules are made to be broken.
No surprise; if you agree with these statements you are a “get-out- the way” sort of leader. Although on the surface this might sound like a kinder, gentler sort of leadership style, it is actually quite Darwinian. Many investment banks and corporate law firms – not exactly cuddly places – encourage this style of leadership.
We won’t resolve this debate here, of course; whether the proper form of governance is an autocratic, rules-based one or a more naturalistic one is as old as history. I have to admit being more in the latter camp, and believe that individual freedom and liberty is an essential element of top performance. In this regard I rely upon, among others, John Stuart Mill and his essay On Liberty (1859), where he asserted the sovereignty of the individual, as opposed to the state, over his own subjective and physical well-being as an essential element of human flourishing. There is a thin line between freedom and anarchy, however, and a society without rules is no society at all. And try to produce anything of value in a business with no rules.
The key is, of course, be yourself. There is no right or wrong way to lead. I suppose a freedom within a framework approach is best, sort of an Aristotelian Golden Mean, but you have excellent examples throughout history to cite on your behalf regardless of your style.
What works for you? Let us hear from you in the comment section below.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Dan Bowling
Daniel S. Bowling III is an expert on the science of well-being and work and conducts empirical research on this topic through the University of Pennsylvania. Formerly, he was a partner in a major law firm and later, the global head of human resources at Coca-Cola Enterprises, where he directed all HR activities for more than 80,000 employees worldwide. He currently holds faculty positions at both Duke Law School and UPenn. He also leads a consulting firm, Positive Workplace Solutions, that works with some of the largest institutions in the country showing that well-being enhances not just life satisfaction but productivity and performance, and writes and speaks extensively on these topics. He can be reached at editor@TalentMGT.com.
-
http://www.bbhandel.com/Aquaristik/Suesswasser-Aquaristik/Suesswasser-Technik/Aquarien-Filter/Aquarium-Filter Aquariumfilter
-
http://www.super.takarandka.com.pl randka
-
http://www.youtu.be/tTLkorxAMiM mobile advertisements
-
http://soft.triolan.com.ua/user/bomoEcorn/ Salvatore Capek
-
http://www.wlasnie.takarandka.com.pl randka
-
http://www.wyjatkowa.takarandka.com.pl umow sie na randke
-
http://www.zakochani.takarandka.com.pl randki
-
http://www.randker.com.pl randki
-
http://www.researchslide.com PPT
-
http://www.alcocklaw.com/CRIMINAL/ criminal law lawyer Chandler AZ
-
http://friendfeed.com/stephenpa/b9db75d3/there-will-be-chocolates-in-my-ias12 chocolate
-
http://www.applematters.com/article/an_interview_with_final_cut_master_larry_jordan final cut pro classes
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0UKwpsecro quarterback training new york
-
http://www.o-haras.com/fonctionnalites/reproductions This Page
-
http://www.curbstreet.com/real-estate-investment best real estate listing software
-
http://susangoodellsandiego.blogspot.com/ Susan Goodell MFT San Diego
-
http://www.monthlycarwarranty.com carefree car protection extended warranty
-
http://drawingwithconfidence.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/iStock_000014002611XSmall.jpg learning to draw people
-
http://botw.org/top/Business/Shopping_and_Services/Health/Dental/Toothbrush/ covered toothbrush holder
-
http://botw.org/top/Computers/Software/Networking/Services/ it consulting companies
-
http://ojaioliveoil19.tumblr.com/ olive oil cosmetics online
-
http://www.youtube.com/user/freshrankings control CRO
-
http://www.venturavacuumrepair.com/certified-pre-owned-vacuum-sewing-machines/ service all vacuum fort wayne
-
https://plus.google.com/u/2/113788508102858557827/posts Look Here
-
http://www.free-press-release.com/news-orthodontist-know-the-traits-that-comfort-young-patients-1328772245.html Home
-
http://www.elk.randker.com.pl najlepsza randka
-
http://pcmender.info/services/ fix laptop
-
http://www.katowice.randker.com.pl randka przez internet
-
http://www.krakow.randker.com.pl darmowy serwis randkowy
-
http://www.lublin.randker.com.pl randka
-
http://www.poznan.randker.com.pl odszukaj milosc swego zycia
-
http://rearwheelhorsepower.com/tag/charger/ Automotive Forum
-
http://personalbudget.sg/ Welcome to My Blog
-
http://www.rzeszow.randker.com.pl strona z randkami
-
http://drift.kammeret.no/wiki/index.php/5_Causes_Why_a_High_dieta_proteica_Is_Awesome listen for this podcast
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6fhB8_3aS4 vodka martini
-
http://www.magichab.ru/blogs/b317.html cheap payday loans
-
http://www.tarnow.randker.com.pl randka przez internet
-
http://www.magazi.info/3.php διάφορα προβλήματα
-
https://twitter.com/WizSEOAustralia SEO Services Australia
-
http://www.wroclaw.randker.com.pl darmowa strona randki
-
http://test475.com please
-
http://www.youtubedownloadermac.net/free-audio-recording-software-record-mp3-music-from-spotify-by-mp3-audio-recorder-for-windows.html audio recording
-
http://www.jakichmalo.takarandka.com.pl randki za darmo
-
http://www.clutepackaging.com/products/strapping/steel_strapping steel strapping
-
http://videos.bulk-online.com/video/660/Paginas-Para-Descargar-Musica-Gratis killer offered
-
http://www.ostersundsflygklubb.nu/wiki/index.php?title=Useful_Recommendations_For_Developing_Aggressive_Web_Marketing_Campaigns6645097 to learn wealth creation methods
-
http://www.vaschebagno.com vasca da bagno
-
http://bookmarkalerts.info/story.php?id=274169 wedding planner toscana
-
http://realsantasuits1.blogtrue.com/article/10546377/Thus-You-Simply-Have-To-Ask-To-Receive-State-Of-The-Art-Security-Systems click here
-
http://www.awesomitybookmarks.com/story.php?title=wedding-planner-italy weddings in italy
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lio9e7OoiT0 distilling definition
-
http://videos.bulk-online.com/video/665/Musica-Cristiana-Jesus-Adrian-Romero here may possibly possibly are the findings
-
http://foundforthehome.com/index.php/member/28245/ Upgrade
-
http://postgrad.tearapoutama.ac.nz/member/52749/ Harlow
-
http://www.lammertal.info/blog/allgemein/uber-100-teilnehmer-bei-1-basiskurs/ over here
-
http://www.curbstreet.com/blog/concerns-over-the-future-of-the-stabilized-core-asset/ do you agree
-
http://therecipeclub.net/2011/09/30/at-the-photo-shoot-for-virginia-williss-basic-to-brilliant-yall do you agree
-
http://info.hsls.pitt.edu/morningreport/2007/11/09/in-patients-with-severe-acute-pancreatitis-what-is-the-outcomes-of-treatment-with-antibioticsfluconazoleno-antibiotics/ Have A Peek At These Guys
-
http://theconcussionblog.com/2011/03/03/bob-probert-found-to-have-cte You Can Find Out More
-
http://173.214.181.196/article.php?id=42209 one-time offer
-
http://www.google.com/SearchTest Google
-
http://www.bgdfgdfgdfgdf.com/ bgdfgdfgdfgdf
-
http://www.anarchyonlineguides.org/?p=371 Charlene
-
http://www.archlordgold.info/?p=116 Delmar
-
http://assetinvestmenttrust.com/aitblog/groups/ddo-platinum/ Bellamy
-
http://radjaa.com/groups/tibia-gold/ Guy
-
http://breastactivescream.webstarts.com/ breast active program
-
http://alatsablonmanual.blogdetik.com/ bisnis konveksi kaos
-
http://irfanud12.skyrock.com/3123300467-Ultrasonic-Flow-Meter-The-Better-Meter.html Heat Meter
-
http://kontax.com/Finding_the_Best_Priced_Fashion_Jewelry_Online-1731-en.html china jewelry supplier
-
http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=594668 Cheap dresses on sale
-
http://www.articleshub.org/article/211687/Expertise-learning-on-how-to-do-more-in-life.html how to
-
http://www.zertoplop.com/ grotlopt
-
http://adopt-a-friend.ning.com/profiles/blog/list Anti Bullying
-
http://wiki.scsd2.k12.in.us/groups/understandinggirlbullyingandwhattodoaboutit/wiki/12010/Holiday_Weight_Loss_Tips.html http://wiki.scsd2.k12.in.us/groups/understandinggirlbullyingandwhattodoaboutit/wiki/12010/Holiday_Weight_Loss_Tips.html
-
http://www.malagasalsa.com/ salsa
-
http://www.freefreebets.co.uk/casino-free-bets.php free bets casino
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phSy1S_RO_4 igra karos online
-
http://www.fevermagazine.com/node/17 fever girls
-
http://alturl.com/egz4e high investment return
-
http://kibernetik.rv.ua/content/ideas-about-obese-people-who-online-payday-loans-direct-lenders Emma Stone
-
http://www.bengillott.com/working-from-home-jobs-in-uk/ working from home jobs uk
-
http://www.turistipercaso.info/offerte-capodanno-2013/ offerte capodanno
-
http://homemadeenergyinfo.com Home Made energy information
-
http://desaininteriorjakarta.com/5-alasan-desain-interior/ desain interior rumah
-
http://articles.pubarticles.com/how-to-buy-abercrombie-fitch-clothing-1351513155,1093777.html cheap Abercrombie & Fitch clothing
-
http://www.freepressbox.com/news-weddingcoocom-announces-new-collection-189131.html cheap wedding gowns
-
http://www.yooarticles.net/article/2012-nike-free-run-3-running-shoes-at-free40v2-com nike free 3 running
-
http://www.exactrelease.com/elitehairextensioncom-launche-link-437304.html PU Tape hair extension
-
http://simgrounds.com/index.php?action=profile;u=177763 Minerva Stagnitto
-
http://quote44.com/car-insurance.html click this
-
http://forum.divxonline.biz/index.php?action=profile;u=103330 Will Bruechert
-
http://www.youtube.com/user/fisherinvestments Fisher Investments Reviews
-
http://pastytrollkingdom.com/aegis/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=24315 Justa Andrews
-
http://iphone-5-giveaway.blogspot.com/ Apple Iphone 5 Giveaway 2012
-
http://socialnetworksbuzz.com/tag/wifi/ breaking events
-
http://www.electronicadventure.us Remote Control
-
http://www.tacticians.org/groups/speedy-products-in-honda-city-2012-methods-in-honda-city-2012-an-intro-a-background-in-no-fuss-honda-city-2012-plans/ she pointed out
-
http://www.smsgratisan.com/ sms gratis
-
http://www.squidoo.com/best-rabbit-cages read more
-
http://medprice.fr lecteur carte vitale
-
http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/abc-blinds-and-awnings-head-office/wangara abc blinds
-
http://feedthemuscle.com/healthy-uses-for-aloe-vera-juice/ aloe vera juice for hair
-
http://www.cressydoor.com/index.html Seattle Tacoma Fireplace Garage Doors Repairs
-
http://www.facebook.com/allevamentorottweiler.custodiestensi Allevamenti Rottweiler
-
http://www.mdofpc.com computer stores pittsburgh
-
http://chillwithfriends.com/index.php?do=/blog/6414/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-dumpster/ Rent a dumpster
-
http://goracastrona.pl/ kulinarne
-
http://radyovira.1tr.me/blog/13066/exploring-practical-secrets-for-riverside-mold-inspection/ 123 mold testing
-
http://www.zootoo.com/profile/cactus32basket/blog/entry/leaseadumpsterwhenremodelingyo Delivermydumpster
-
http://freepressreleasenow.com/Get-genuine-anime-wholesale-at-Xinxingshop.htm cheap cosplay costumes
-
http://si-methods.com/biznes,i,ekonomia/wzor,cv,s,78/ cv wzór
-
http://www.briefingwire.com/pr/shopping-ner-online-store clothes online shopping
-
http://www.squidoo.com/lebron-shoes-for-sale lebron shoes for sale
-
http://randrvacationvilla.com/biznes,i,ekonomia/cv,wzor,s,80/ cv
-
http://forum.taheri-tennis-academy.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=1342 Amos Fraschilla
-
http://forex4trade.com/groups/star-trek-credits/ Egil
-
http://www.liveprwire.com/OnTablets-bring-the-lowest-priced-Tablets-and-Smartphones.htm China tienda online
-
http://www.loverugbyleague.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=111892 thel Addison
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9chAOJiHKZ0 samsung chromebook reviews
-
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g58359-d1070975-r145766373-Little_Red_Caboose_Cafe-Blaine_Washington.html#REVIEWS cafe in blaine
-
http://freeyearlycreditsreport.com/free-annual-credit-report/ annual free credit report
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuGXBNwcIjQ&feature=youtu.be weight loss diet
-
http://americanhealthsociety.com/weight-loss/buy-african-mango buy african mango
-
http://babiesrusregistry.weebly.com/ babies r us registry checklist
-
http://targetbabyregistry.weebly.com/ target baby registry online
-
http://www.abchomejobs.info home business
-
http://www.dekhona.com/news-currentaffairs-videos/gdhajqwroso/Searching-For-Properties-For-Sale-In-Bali-video Property In Bali
-
http://www.topheryoungfitness.com harrisburg personal training
-
http://landofnodcoupons.weebly.com/ land of nod coupon
-
http://logoquizanswerslevel.info/ logos quiz
-
http://www.madamlux.dk madamlux
-
http://freeyearlycreditsreport.com/free-annual-credit-report annual free credit report
-
http://newsforachange.jimdo.com/2012/11/26/how-to-acquire-more-views-on-youtube-here-s-how-to-get-more-views-on-youtube/ Youtube Make Money
-
http://pinterest.com/pin/170081323398933378/ Click here
-
http://www.sportverein-allendorf-eder.de/w/index.php?title=Thoughts_on_Core_Elements_In_Protein_Diet9134594 dieta proteica dukan
-
http://www.johnthomasbdfiscaloutlook.com/ john thomas financial
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Z_0PDv3Os galaxy s3
-
http://www.freeyourcellservice.net make money online
-
http://www.der-messershop.ch/de/Bear-Grylls bear grylls messer
-
http://www.freefreebets.co.uk free bet offers
-
http://www.facebook.com/JohnThomasFinancialBD John thomas financial
-
http://zhangcun241.jigsy.com/entries/general/arlington-hotels-and-motels Fraser
-
http://community.skateboardr.com/groups/lineage-2-adena/ Flannery
-
http://www.societyofslots.com/ online slots machines
-
http://gocheapcarinsurance.com cheapest car insurance quotes
-
http://www.squidoo.com/guild-wars-2-release-date2 gw2 release date
-
http://www.horoscopes.co.uk horoscopes
-
http://www.het-vakantiehuis-oostenrijk.nl vakantiehuisjes oostenrijk