dispatches from the new world of work

Robert Altman

Mr Altman won the lifetime achievement award at the Oscars last night. I loved this from his acceptance remarks, and I paraphrase: "The role of the Director is to create a space where the actor or actress can become more than they've ever been before." (Or, maybe: "dreamed of being." Better yet. I'll have to find a transcript.)

To me that's the essence of leadership—in any context.

Tom Peters posted this on 03/06/06.

Comments

I like that Tom but I prefer this.

In a recent e-mail conversation with Tony Benn, the 80 year old retired Labour MP gave me these wonderful words that define leadership perfectly in my opinion.

"Some leaders make it so complicated that they hope we will leave the decision to them. Others make it seem so simple that we can trust them to take charge. The real test is to clarify the issues so we have the confidence to decide for ourselves. That is what I believe leaders should do." Tony Benn

Amen to that and thank you Mr Benn!

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 6, 2006 12:24 PM

A good quote, Trevor.

Tom, I have also defined the role of the innovative leader in similar terms in my Manifesto of the creative soul (Stage 7).

Anyone interested can take a look at:

http://www.changethis.com/19.LifeCycle

Posted by Felix Gerena at March 7, 2006 10:14 AM

Nice definition. My favourite one about leadership is the famous quote from D. Eisenhower:
"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."

Posted by Francisco FernÃ¡ndez at March 7, 2006 10:15 AM

Nice definition. My favourite one about leadership is the famous quote from D. Eisenhower:
"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."

Posted by Francisco FernÃ¡ndez at March 7, 2006 10:15 AM

Reminds me very much of Robert Townsend's message in Further Up the Organization. That is a book that should be re-read every couple of years. Unfortunately, I think time is starting to fade his legacy and memory from people's minds.

Posted by Bruce Gerhardt at March 7, 2006 2:22 PM

Bruce, amen re Bob T. I once did an audio program with him--what a trip! (It may well still be available through Nightengale-Conant.)

Posted by tom peters at March 8, 2006 2:16 AM

Your are a dreamer Tom. Good on you. But let us be clear, the under class you not matter, and that is most of us.

Posted by wmmbb at March 9, 2006 6:55 AM