Here we go with the generalizations again. But this topic is one of particular interest to me because it was brought to my attention by one of the readers on LinkedIn. My last post was titled "7 dimensions of great leadership from Vail, CO" and was commented by Bruce Hanawalt as follows:
John,Right on Bruce! I hope it's during my lifetime. I always used the analogy of that guy from "Inspector Gadget" that sits in the chair and strokes the cat while mayhe
As a consultant and transpersonal advisor, I have found very few Contracting firms that consider the people/subcontractors anything more than a means to an end. The Companies which subscribed to any form of employee growth or well being talked the talked but in practice fell far short of the vision statement of the founders/Execs. This is not only true in the construction industry but the business environment on a whole. Maslow has been in play for decades and Drucker is considered the Guru of 'good" management practices, yet the evolvement of Upper Management has been far too slow or uncaring to institute programs which identify and encourage those who attain to self-actualization. Additionally, the narrow materialistic philosophies discount or ignore the spiritualization of the workforce and this in and of it self causes the workforce to be neurotic and unsure of their place in the way of management or life. We both know that Atilla the Hun is the prescribed management technique employed by far too many of the Contracting firms. This mindset has decades of history and will take years to incorporate a new belief system which embraces the worker in preference to the project. The pendulum will eventually swing back to center. In whose lifetime is the question.
m ensues on the television screen before him, but the Attila analogy is probably the best one I've heard.For those of us who are not familiar with Attila the Huh, which included me before a late night Wikipedia educational session, Attila with his 400+ wives was the barbaric leader of the Huns and self-proclaimed "Scourge of God" who sought nothing less than World conquest during the fifth century AD. His leadership style was given some investigation in the 1987 book "Leadership secrets of Attila the Hun". An online book review summed up the leadership style of Attila the Hun in the following 11 items. Note the difference between Vanourek and Attila (as if I had to tell you).
#1: YOU'VE GOT TO WANT TO BE IN CHARGE -- You've got to be ruthlessly ambitious. Never be bored, disinterested, or cowardly in any way about always strengthening your position. Good leaders are lustful leaders. Power is like sex, but don't appear overeager, just extremely determined to succeed under any circumstances, fair or unfair. [This will inspire confidence in those you lead]
#2: ALWAYS APPEAR AS THE ONE IN CHARGE -- Dress appropriately for your high station in life. Own the biggest horse and sword. Be first in everything, but never appear pompous. [Be marked with armament that distinguishes you from the masses]
#3: MAKE OTHERS ADAPT TO YOUR "CUSTOMS" -- Make people do things your way, not their way. Make them adjust or adapt to you. Express this as the way things are going to be from now on, or pretend it's the way things have always been. Refuse to acknowledge any other way of doing things other than the way you do things. [This will extract tribute and praise from those you lead]
#4: NEVER CONDONE A LACK OF MORALE OR DISCIPLINE -- Terminate people at the first sign of disrespect for the common good, but by no means stifle individualism or punish the innocent who don't know the common good. Definitely, do not allow uncontrolled celebration. Pillaging and looting are only fun if done in the name of nationalism. [Discipline will build morale]
#5: NEVER TOLERATE ANYONE WITH THEIR OWN AMBITIONS -- People who are "cunning" are dangerous, especially new people who have just joined the organization. Be vigilant about how people lose their ambition and become team players; that is the pattern you want everyone to follow. Never reward anyone for what is a common effort. [The spirit of unity must prevail]
#6: PERPETUATE A LEGEND OR REPUTATION FOR YOURSELF -- Find out whatever it is that your worst enemy calls you, and try hard to live up to it, with a passion. This will have its advantages to you whenever you need to use your fury and power, and it will accumulate minor privileges to you along the way. [You are your reputation]
#7: PICK YOUR ENEMIES WISELY -- Do not consider all opponents, or everyone you argue with, as enemies. These are accidental enemies. Choose your enemies with purpose. They may be people you have friendly relations with, and in fact, you should let them think of you as a friend, all the while never telling them anything, and lulling them into a state of complacence and acting prematurely. [Do not make enemies unless you mean it]
#8: EXPECT CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT -- You must encourage learning and innovation among those you lead. This can be done in several ways, by creating competitions among the people. Never allow them to wander aimlessly. Regularly upgrade your standards of performance. [This fulfills most of a leader's duties]
#9: USE TIMING IN MAKING DECISIONS -- Never rush a decision, although sometimes you have to because the moment is ripe or an omen exists. It's better to use timing, to find the obscure places and critical elements needed to ensure you always make the right decision. This way, you ensure that even a less-than-perfect decision is followed. [Time your decisions]
#10: EXPLOIT THE DESIRE TO ENJOY THE SPOILS OF WAR -- Harness your peoples' desires for short-term gains. Grant small rewards for light tasks. Reserve heaps of booty for other times, and be generous with items that hold a value to yourself. [Never underestimate the ability to buy obedience]
#11: ONLY ENGAGE IN WARS YOU CAN WIN -- Use diplomacy, negotiation, or other techniques of conflict in battles you cannot win. When in a political war, always keep an eye to your rear. When in an external war, go all out. [Waging war is a natural condition]
Power is like sex? Perpetuate a legend for yourself? Never tolerate anyone with their own ambitions? This guy sounds like a jerk. And although there are some historical reports that Attila has surprisingly shown some traits of compassion and emotional control, the more likely scenario is that Attila was an ego maniac with a bad case of short man's complex. I'll take Vanourek over Attila any day.
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