Perspectives of Leadership

There are tons of great leaders throughout history and around today. They all DO great things but rather it is the way that they THINK that is truly game-changing. Capturing the different perspectives of leaders has been my life goal and this blog will serve as a collection of my observations.

The perspectives of leaders are important because it is the way they see the world that allows them to make an impact on it. It is also how we can replicate their impact on our world. Similar to how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr replicated Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolence stance in Southern America. He didn’t DO what Gandhi did but he operated from the same FOUNDATION as Gandhi.

What I’ve discovered is that leaders generally fit into four different types of perspectives: Hero, Voice, Guru, and Royalty.

Hero - Leaders that lead by action. They find things to do, people to save, and communities to protect. They are energized by opportunities to act and people that need them. They can struggle in organizations or teams with tons of red tape and meetings. All leaders get things done but it is the Hero leaders that truly flourish when it’s time to act.

Guru - Leaders that lead with information. They love details, organization, and structure. They are energized by schedules and data. They can struggle in organizations that require quick decision-making or rapidly changing environments. All leaders need details to lead well but it is the Guru leaders that are at their best when it comes to organizing systems.

Voice- Leaders that lead with people. They love people, causes, and dream of a better world. They are energized by opportunities to give a voice to the voiceless and fight existing systems that are deemed unfair. They can struggle in organizations that work in isolated environments or ones that move slowly. All leaders lead with people but it is the Voice leaders that speak for the people.

Royalty - Leaders that lead with culture. They are constantly creating systems, language, and environments for others to become successful. They are energized when they have opportunities to cast vision and teach others. They can struggle in rigid systems and when they are micromanaged. All leaders cast vision but it is the Royalty leaders that make visions come alive.

What kind of leader are you? See you next week!

Written by Justin Strickland