The leadership paradox and the power of the AND

F. Scott Fitzgerald said that the test of first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. People are pushed to believe that things are either A or B, but not both. The same is true for leadership. A rational view that cannot easily accept paradox, is the idea that "great leaders lead from the front AND the back".

It is the same paradox we find in many other statements such as "you can have change AND stability"; you can be conservative AND bold; you can have low cost AND quality, you can have creative autonomy AND consistency and control; you can invest in the future AND do well in the short term; you can have self-confidence AND put the needs of others in front of your own.

Embracing the AND

A servant leader is someone without an overbearing ego and independence on their own great ideas. The paradox is admittedly confusing, how can someone be first when they are last? How can a person win if you continuously make others feel like winners? The economy of life works with the AND and not with the OR. Too many companies and leaders make the mistake of thinking they should do "either or", while the AND is so much more rewarding.

Mark 9:35 - "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Lesson: Practice servant leadership without feeling that you have to compromise your own self-worth - the rewards for the selfless are endless.

Themes of leadership from Prof. Vladimer Botsvadze