Comments on: Stop abusing the L word!

By: Miki Saxon

Miki Saxon — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:14:15 +0000

Nahu, the post refers to my contention that the word 'leader' is often used wrongly. As to the list you asked for, words that abuse differ over depending on local culture. Check out the definition link and I think you'll be able to put together a list appropriate to your world.

By: nahu

nahu — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:42:57 +0000

plzzzzzzzzzz can someone help me to know a list of abusing words and what is this l a abusing word so plz someone help me toknow alist of abuseing words now!

By: Be part of a NEW leadership reality show on the web

Be part of a NEW leadership reality show on the web — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:16:08 +0000

[...] sort of. I knew what I wanted to do, in fact, shortly after I took over Leadership Turn I wrote Stop abusing the L word and at the end suggested a reality game called So you think you can [...]

By: Miki Saxon

Miki Saxon — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:15:33 +0000

Goody! I LOVE rippling brains:) As to the pitch, who would you suggest? All the media people I’ve heard of seem to think that they’re brilliant leaders and would probably want to be the judges.

By: Raven

Raven — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:21:58 +0000

Ah Miki – Once again you’ve caused a ripple in my brain, forcing me to rethink my views on leadership and look from a different perspective.

I second your leadership reality show – pitch it!

By: Paul B. Thornton

Paul B. Thornton — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:13:30 +0000

I seriously like your idea of a reality show focused on leadership.

By: Miki Saxon

Miki Saxon — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:20:30 +0000

Well, Rhett, I started to respond to you, but by the time I hit 300 words I decided that it was more appropriate to give it full post status. So I hope that you’ll read it tomorrow and then continue the conversation.

By: Rhett Laubach

Rhett Laubach — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:27:19 +0000

I agree 100% with the Hitler reference. I actually use that in my programs all the time to get formal and informal leaders to self-realize their position of leadership and influence. Most people superimpose the word positive before leadership. That, as you well know, is wrong. Hitler was a great leader, just not a positive one.

I’m not sure the main argument you are shooting to resolve by asking folks to stop abusing the word leadership, but in my opinion I think there are really just two simple points of concern for most people:

1. Informal leaders (i.e. – everyday folks who either do or don’t see themselves as influential) need to understand and act upon the understanding that their behavior does make a difference – whether that be good or bad. Leadership is behavioral, not positional.

2. Formal leaders (CEOs, managers, parents, etc.) need to understand that satisfying their immediate, urgent and big goal (raise profits, squeeze out higher margins, get the kids to stop screaming, etc.) is not the most critical success metric. They need to satisfy the human element first in as positive manner as possible. Relationships before results.

Of course, I’m just spitballing here. :)

By: Miki Saxon

Miki Saxon — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:02:11 +0000

Thanks Rhett. I guess I shouldn’t argue with Maxwell, but I’m not sure that influence can stand on its own. He also said, “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision,” which, to me, backs up my disagreement with the word “positive.” Most folks don’t call Hitler (my favorite example) positive (although some still do), but he certainly was effective and influential.

By: Rhett Laubach

Rhett Laubach — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:45:57 +0000

Miki, great post! My opinion is that all CEOs, managers, supervisors, parents, etc. ARE leaders. They are leaders because of John Maxwell’s definition of leadership – influence. The question here is not whether they are leaders or not. They are leaders because they influence others. This is why CEOs are always referred to as “leaders” – they have great influence on a great number of people. The question at the heart of this discussion is not “leader or not.” It is “positive, effective leader or not.” Of course, I could be wrong.