NORTHERN PLANNER

Martin's post about a Jo Moran quote took me to looking at his article, about shyness, reminding me I'm reading about The Power of Quiet. Serendipity indeed.

I'm enjoying it and one killer learning for me is, when you really dig into what makes a good leader, the extrovert, charisma oozing fancy pants approach works some of the time.

But not all of the time.

It works best in organisations where everyone is supposed to know their place.

But if you want a leader to unlock the potential of their people, to encourage them to use their imagination, their initiative and be original and, well, creative, you're best looking for an introvert.

Someone who likes to listen more than talk, someone who likes IDEAS, not MY idea.

Someone who isn't intimidating, who thinks before they speak and doesn't want to win arguments, they want the right answer.

Yet the model for agency leaders and heads of departments seem to be fancy pants model.

The ones who are always heard in meetings, who always get their way because, we'll, they just do.

I'm wondering, is it that organisations are not as creative and free-wheeling as they would like you to believe?

Or do they succeed in SPITE of the leader.

Is the leader someone who is really just good at networking and making clients like them? Not something to be under-estimated of course. But that's not leadership.

Just like a creative director who can't put the layout pad down, or can't bear to have someone esle have any sort of good idea down isn't a leader.

Just like a planning director who can't help telling a junior what their strategy should be, rather than letting them learn from failure – or even make that director think – isn't a leader. 

I'm biased of course, I'm shy and introverted and every day I try and make this work, rather than get in the way. Not hiding it, finding a way to make it flourish. I cringe at the thought of big groups, I fear big presentations, I'm terrified of small talk.

Of course, I'm grown up and have found ways around this and, to some degree, have altered behaviour to alter temperament. 

In fact, when you think about it, this an industry where it's who can talk the loudest wins, rather than who can think the most.

I for one intend to help change that.

One day at a time.