The best executive I've ever known told me that in his view, a key element of effective leadership is benevolence.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines benevolence as "An inclination or tendency to perform charitable acts; good will. A kindly act." The word's roots are in Latin for "wishing well."
You can be trustworthy and competent, but unless people sense that you are benevolent, they may conclude that if a day comes when they need the benefit of the doubt or more, you may desert them.
The benevolent person does not parse words or cut corners in order to avoid performing a kind act, but instead operates with a default mode of kindness. An honest, competent person might not rise to that level.
Benevolence. I like the very sound of it.
2 comments:
This great entry summarizes why I've always held that a leader labelled as being a "Benevolent Despot" was receiving a compliment, not a critique.
Iron fist, velvet glove.
My take-away wasn't "benevolent despot," but that's an interesting interpretation. To me, Michael's post is contrary to what most people would say about the subject, although I agree with it. I'm reminded of what an unusual CEO told me one time about the meaning of leadership: "Giving other people power."
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