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Feature: James Scouller Business Executive | February 2012 | PAGE 13


What is the purpose of a leader? Leadership is described as a “process” – a series of choices around defining and achieving a goal. Seen this way, “leadership” and “the leader” are not the same thing. Leadership is bigger than any individual leader because anyone in a group can lead; it doesn’t have to be the reserve of the official leader. If leadership is a process where more than one person can lead – meaning that they can exert leadership in one or more of the four dimensions – why do we need a leader? What are they there for? One possible answer is that the leader is there to make sure that all four dimensions are being covered. This is the leader’s main way of serving their organisation. This raises a crucial insight: the leader does not have to provide


all the leadership personally. They can delegate part of their role to other people. This means that we don’t have to possess all the qualities of an “ideal leader” before we can lead. But this doesn’t mean leaders can pass the buck by giving away all of their responsibility. Though they can delegate some of their power, there is one thing they cannot delegate: their responsibility to make sure there is leadership. Their responsibility is to make sure that all four dimensions are being addressed and make leadership interventions. Being the classic visionary/inspirational hero leader is one way of leading, but it is only one way. Another way is to ask the right questions and get the right people around you to make sure there is leadership but you can never evade your unique responsibility as a leader. That is the one thing you cannot delegate.


Why do these insights matter? They matter; if you have a distorted or exaggerated view of your challenge and your role, you will almost certainly find it harder to lead and to enjoy the experience of leading. And your performance as leader will almost certainly suffer. So, having a clear practical view of leadership and the purpose of a leader is central to a leader’s development. Without these two insights, leaders are more likely to feel inadequate and anxious about measuring up to their leadership role. This means leaders are likely to adopt ineffective behavioural habits. When leaders redefine leadership and their purpose they feel a


sense of freedom. They no longer feel the need to be the hero – the brilliant, charismatic person with all the answers. They can start to relax and lead in a way that suits them, without evading their one unique responsibility: to make sure there is leadership. You might now ask yourself: what is it I believe about leadership


and how do I see the purpose of a leader? Then reflect on the thoughts in this article. After all, the responsibility for being the best leader you can be rests with you.


Reader offer


James Scouller’s The Three Levels of Leadership was the featured book in the book section of Business Executive in the November 2011 issue. His publisher, Management Books 2000, have kindly agreed to offer for our readers a price of £10.00 plus £1.50 postage. To purchase the book at this discounted price call ++44(0)1285


771441 and mention the Business Executive offer.


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