Henry Mintzberg, writing in the Harvard Business Review (November 2004) says that all too often,
companies with problems take the view that what they need is more leadership, when often what they
need is 'less leadership' or 'just enough leadership.'
'Just enough leadership' is appropriate leadership. When somebody else has a good idea, simply
encourage it, allow it to flourish. Leadership in this sense is 'permissive' allowing flows of energy
that are moving in the right direction to continue to do so. And those good ideas, new directions can
come from anywhere in the organisation.
"A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting
the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not
realizing that all along they are being directed from behind."
- Nelson Mandela
Leadership Training and Workshops.
Note: This web page is not intended to provide comprehensive coverage of the subject, merely a brief introduction to provoke thought and to lead to a more in depth understanding and application of the topic, either through further reading - or from me as your management consultant, executive trainer or personal coach in a consultancy project, training course, workshop or seminar.
References and Further Reading
Mintzberg, Henry. Harvard Business Review. November 2004.