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3 Guideposts From The Psychology Of Leadership

2/22/2020

8 Comments

 
BY JENNY. B
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Photo by Kika Fuenzalida on mixkit
It has been one of the great honors of my life to have graduated as a Psychology major in 2006. 

Truly. 
​

While I was earning my degree, the field of Psychology itself was undergoing what felt like a Renaissance, expanding beyond a narrow definition or association with mental illness and conditioned behaviors toward a holistic view of wellness and our shared humanity. I was a student at Harvard when the traditional course offerings multiplied and began to include Positive Psychology and new depths in the Psychology of Leadership and Teams and topics surrounding happiness and creativity. 

This was certainly the result of hard work and years of stewardship by leaders in Psychology and at the University. At the same time, it felt like an overnight sensation. There were packed auditoriums and an electric buzz around prestigious and up-and-coming visiting speakers and the venerated titans of Psychology on the Harvard faculty. 

While it would be an impossible task and a disservice to attempt to distill all that was learned and discussed in those years with those great mentors, I can share 3 key concepts I return to, time and again. I find these to be true whether leading a business, volunteer group, or my household:

  1. To be a great leader of action, have competence and character.
    You must be competent or well-versed in the subject matter or space in which you are trying to lead. And, to follow your direction when there is risk and uncertainty, people need to believe in your character – who you are broadly in life, and who you are in their particular life story. 
    Think of the person in your workplace, volunteer organization, or network who is most able to get things done. Why is that? What does that say about that person’s competence, character, and the space you hold for them in your life story when supporting their goals?
  2. To be a great leader of thought, hold contradictory ideas in mind at the same time. Understand the pros, cons, biases, and uses of each, not in a vacuum, but while still considering the other idea as valid and potential fodder for the decision or next step you are trying to move toward. Explore all the facets and tensions between the topics, while pressing for new solutions that honor what is valid and most relevant about each of the original schools of thought. (Sound like an interesting way to ‘level up’ your thinking? You can learn more about “Janusian Thinking” or “Oppositional Thinking” and its connection to creativity, here.) 
  3. To be a leader, you will have to be engaged in the work. You will have to get your hands dirty and be accountable. This means that you will not get to observe from a safe distance and be untouched. Your passion and ideals will drive decisions and action. Not everyone will like every decision. You will make some mistakes that come at a cost. How will you keep engaged, keep learning, and keep applying? ​
8 Comments
MaryBeth
2/22/2020 05:36:21 pm

I absolutely LOVE this Jenny! Part of me secretly wanted to be a psychology major, and I feel like I'm getting your cheat sheet ;)

Your point about competence and character is so important. Some people are good people but don't know what they are doing - not a leader. Others are really good at what they do but are crummy individuals - also not a leader. Both competence and character are needed for leadership!

Reply
Jenny B
2/24/2020 01:27:31 pm

Thanks, MaryBeth! I appreciate the space to share reflections and recognize that leadership has a very situational context. I, for example, would not be top of anyone's list for leadership of a team of auto mechanics, as I have no content experience/competency repairing physical machinery. Being an avid learner, I might not be the bottom of the list, either. But, I would need to recognize and address the gap in my content experience/competency.

Reply
Ann Ussishkin
2/23/2020 09:14:19 am

Love your writing -- Ann Ussishkin

Reply
Jenny B
2/24/2020 01:30:30 pm

Thank you, Ann! I care a lot about good writing and taking time to read and reflect. You are appreciated! Thanks for being part of the community!

Reply
Connie
2/25/2020 04:45:11 am

Great article Jenny! I especially like that you made it concise by just concentrating on three main components: 1. Have competence and character; 2. Consider other viewpoints and ideas; 3. Become involved in the work yourself. These three ingredients are key, not only in leading others, but in any enterprise we undertake in life, no matter how basic or complex. These are good rules which will help us to be successful and also hold us accountable. They will aid us in becoming "doers" and not just "talkers". Also, thanks for the link to the wonderful Creativity piece. It is very interesting indeed. Jenny, thanks for sharing your Harvard experience with us. I look forward to your upcoming articles.

Reply
Jenny B.
2/26/2020 09:37:35 am

Thank you, Connie! I tend to talk and write at length, so, I have to strive for conciseness. And, the 3 guideposts are easy to list, but have so many facets when applied. You are right to point out that becoming "the doer" of good deeds is an ever-engaging challenge.

Reply
Ed Cruz
2/25/2020 10:28:57 am

Nice article Jenny! Great insight on leaders. Thank you for your sharing your insights from your education. Looking forward to seeing more.

Reply
Jenny B
2/26/2020 09:43:47 am

Thank you, Ed! I appreciate how you seek learning and new perspectives!

Reply



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