This is super interesting and something I never really thought of. Ive always really liked “the leader that is afraid to lead because they’re scared they’ll fail or hurt people” instead. I’ve had the managers who don’t want to lead. They were awful 🙃
I think a measure of confidence is important because a big part of a lead’s job will be protecting and advocating for their people - BUT with, as you say, humility and the constant reminder that their worth as a leader is about how much their team trusts and can rely on them
there was an inverse version of this in conclave—“the ones who want to lead most are the ones who shouldn’t.” unfortunate lack of nuance in an otherwise fantastic film
Now I'm just reminded of the time I took charge of a hobbyist community project even though I didn't really want to lead because I realized there was no one else who'd step up, and it would fall apart if someone didn't take charge... only to kill the project six months later after I burned out hard
I think a better framing is those who don't want power, rather than those who don't want to lead. Yeah, power and leadership overlap often, but it's possible to lead without doing so for power.
so much dysfunction comes down to entry into management being the only way to advance in your career after a certain point, despite the fact that being very good at a technical skill absolutely does not guarantee leadership ability. it's a totally different skill and so many people do Not have it
YEP
healthy workplaces I’ve been part of have separate tracks - “craft” and “management” - to avoid this, with equal pay and benefits structure. It’s a good plan, if not a foolproof one, and sadly not widespread
Yessssss! OMG! The leader who doesn’t lead is death on the team’s motivation! And when we’ve tried to raise the issue, it has always turned into a witch hunt to find who is harming the team’s moral by “being negative” (aka complaining about the situation HE causes).
Also: “You can’t be talking amongst yourselves behind my back! I can’t know what to do differently if you don’t tell me!”
We’ve tried!!! You never understand and it turns against my colleagues who did nothing wrong!!! So now I keep answering: “Everything’s good!” and hope I outlive the bastard!
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Meanwhile, the person who was preparing themselves for it was somehow out for lunch. Mortified when they were back.
Years in gamedev have taught me that the dude everyone assumed will take over eventually can cause a LOT of harm
If you’ve ever had a lead or manager who didn’t care about leading, you’ve probably had a bad time
I think a better framing is those who don't want power, rather than those who don't want to lead. Yeah, power and leadership overlap often, but it's possible to lead without doing so for power.
healthy workplaces I’ve been part of have separate tracks - “craft” and “management” - to avoid this, with equal pay and benefits structure. It’s a good plan, if not a foolproof one, and sadly not widespread
“Well have you considered being less negative?” Have you considered addressing why the team has negative feelings STEVE
(I’ve never had a lead named Steve; Steve is my scapegoat)
We’ve tried!!! You never understand and it turns against my colleagues who did nothing wrong!!! So now I keep answering: “Everything’s good!” and hope I outlive the bastard!