What Does it Mean to be an "Emerging Leader"?
A friend and I were talking today about the phrase "emerging leader." What does it really mean -- in practical terms -- in the context of being among the youngest members of a network or working committee comprised almost entirely of "established leaders" 10-40 years senior? Does being considered an emerging leader simply mean one gets invited to sit in meetings that would have previously been off limits, or is one expected to pay his/her network dues as a grunt? At what point does the "emerging" label come off so that one is respected simply for leadership? And how long before "respect" translates into empowerment, with real responsibilities to steward both vision and resources, as well as the corresponding opportunities of success or failure?
posted by Jeremy Del Rio @ 12/14/2004 06:25:00 PM
4 Comments:
There is no such thing as an "emerging leader". You're either a leader or your not. The term is just wrong and is oppressive. I guess, in some circles it really means, are you a member of the club? Have you been initiated by the elite? Are you up to their standards? Young leader, old leader, good leader, bad leader, but not emerging.PLEASE! If you are emerging then forget it--your not a leader.
And another bug-a-boo! Everyone can be a leader. Oh my God, absolutely not! How condescending and trite!
Leadership is big, but only for the few that can lead. We need courses for followers. I concede that there must be many of those, or else we're sunk. There are followers out there. And, they would be great followers if people stopped trying to make them leaders!
The "emerging" label when juxtaposed to "established" leader begs the definition of "established". That would be scary! We may lose those leaders with the most potential--not for leadership(remember, you are or you aren't--but for impact.
No human can empower a true leader. Power flows from a leader. Leaders can be taught by leaders, but not empowered. You either have it or you don't. Leaders create resources or invent them from a combination or a stream of ideas and strategy. Resources a critical, but relative. The best leaders don't necessarily have the most resources. The established leaders don't necessarily have the best vision.
More can come.
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Hmm ... great thoughts. I'm feeling many of them, but am not convinced that, "No human being can empower a true leader." Clearly leadership is a gift, whether instinctive or cultivated. Those who have it, have it, with or without the blessing of other human beings. And clearly leaders "create resources or invent them from a combination or a stream of ideas and strategy." But the reach and impact of a leader can be broadened and facilitated by other human beings. Nehemiah, for instance, was an Old Testament leader, with or without Cyrus' blessing. But his effectiveness in leading Israel to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was greatly enhanced by the fact that Cyrus wrote him a blank check.
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