Putting Leadership in its Place

I often struggle as I think about leadership. On one hand, I know it’s important. On the other hand, I sometimes choke on all the conflicting leadership theories, and I wonder if we have made leadership a panacea.

I find this quote from The One Thing You Need to Know

to be helpful. It recognizes the importance of leadership, but acknowledges that leadership isn’t the only thing that matters.

In general, my experience conforms with that of Warren Bennis, perhaps the preeminent leadership expert, when he says, “Leadership accounts for, at the very best, 15 percent of the importance of any organization.”

This helps me as I think about the importance of leadership: 15 percent is a lot. But it also helps me realize that we need to resist the temptation to think that leadership is everything. It’s important, but it’s not everything.