GovernBest

“Had he never been called upon to exercise authority no one would have doubted his capacity for it”…Tacitus on the emperor Galba

Speakers like to proclaim that “leadership is authenticity”. In my experience, though, leaders often shrink from authenticity…sometimes with the best of intentions: they want to put a positive face on an impossible situation; they want to be loved and think that might be inconsistent with the pain they need to inflict; they want to withold their bouyant enthusiasm or grave doubts until the outcome is clearer. The list goes on. The reality is that leaders are visible…with or without a title; and when you’re visible, you’re vulnerable. We see this in clubs, friendships, families, work settings and boardrooms. So I have some sympathy for Galba and anyone who takes “personal responsibility for collective action”.