Sunday, March 18, 2007

Choice Not Coercion

Can one lead those who do not want to be lead? The short answer is no. Followers choose their leader by choosing to follow. To coerce compliance is not leading, it is bullying. Leadership is based on the free choice of the followers. So how do you get others to follow? Give them a compelling reason to want to follow. Tap into their source of motivation. This means either satisfy a need the followers have or appeal to their values. Leadership is driven by desire not fear. Leadership is founded upon choice not coercion.