THE RCA OF A BALANCED LEADER

Socrates: "The unexamined life is not worth living."

A Balanced Leader. A term that could mean many things.

Many years ago, I answered the questions in one of those scientific studies which was designed to help determine what category of perceived management styles I fit into. It was the one where results were placed on a graph above or below the zero axis. The facilitator explained that of the four identified points being graphed, those above the zero axis were the dominant, and those below the zero axis were present, but not dominant.

Well, all four of my points were scored on the graph above the zero axis. The facilitator said that was rare. She continued to say that tended to mean I was trying to be all things to all people at all times. She added that must be incredible stressful!

Well, welcome to Contemporary Leadership! This is where it is a natural expectation to be all things to all people at all times. You just have to determine the who, what, when, where, how and why of your current position, within your current set of circumstances. That determination will assist you in being the most effective leader you can be, at the most appropriate time, and assist those you lead in becoming the most productive people they can be.

The question is not are you a leader? The assumption for those reading or taking part in a presentation is that you are already in leadership roles. The question is rather what kind of leader are you and how can you become a better leader?

To that end, let's begin the process of examination. Socrates was quoted as saying, "The unexamined life is not worth living." One of the most critical thinkers in Earth's recorded history puts a very fine point on this issue – words are not minced;