Overview

More in the nature of an energizer than ethical analysis, this exercise elicits consideration of the qualities necessary for ethical team leadership.

Purpose

To develop awareness of the traits possessed by ethical and effective team leaders.

To evaluate the pros and cons of charisma for a team leader.

Group Size

Any number of individuals can participate in this exercise: they will work in pairs and then in quartets. (Note: If the total number of participants is not divisible by four, simply form small groups of three to five participants.)

Room Arrangement

No special arrangements are required.

Materials

Handout 46.1, “How Do You Spell L-E-A-D-E-R?”

Flipchart and marking pens

Procedure

1.Begin by pointing out that the topic of leadership has been explored for thousands of years. Numerous studies have been undertaken to determine exactly what qualities leaders possess. Ask for some descriptors of leaders and record them on the flipchart.

2.Post the list and start a second list by asking, “Which of these words also apply to team leaders?” After recording several, ask, “Which words not already mentioned do you feel are important for team leaders to have?”

3.Divide the group into pairs and ask each pair to select one word from either list and relate it to team leaders they’ve known in the past.

4.Ask each pair to join one other pair to discuss their observations.

5.Distribute Handout 46.1, “How Do You Spell L-E-A-D-E-R?” Ask the two-pair teams to identify the word many would associate with effective leadership—whether it’s leadership of a team or any other group. (The answer is “charisma.”)

6.Recognize the first team to finish by a round of applause.

7.Debrief with a discussion of the positive and aspects of charismatic leadership. The positive points are obvious and will come to participants’ minds readily: the ability to develop esprit de corps, to inspire, to quicken the bonding process. The negative aspects of charisma are not thought about as often. As noted in the Points of Interest, these include an unhealthy narcissism and so intense a demeanor that few attempts at levity are made by others. The down side of charisma can also be seen in a team’s tendency toward groupthink, a rush to side with the charismatic leader’s viewpoint, a feeling of unease in the narcissist’s presence, and an extreme desire to please the leader.

8.Conclude with a reference to the quote, which maintains that effective individuals possess both knowledge and charm—charm that is always used, ideally, toward ethical ends.

Variation

Encourage participants who actually serve as team leaders to distribute a small sheet of paper to each team member at their next team meeting. Ask each person to write anonymously a one-word answer to this question: “What do you think is my best quality as your team leader?” Encourage the leaders to analyze the answers after the meeting and profit from the honesty contained within.

Discussion

What’s the worst trait a team leader could possess?

What traits do you exemplify when you lead meetings?

In a team composed of high-powered personalities, what trait is the most important for the team leader to demonstrate?

Think about the best teams you’ve ever been part of. Is there a particular quality the leaders of those teams had in common? If so, what is it?

Think about the worst teams you’ve ever been part of. What quality did the meeting leaders have in common?

Is it possible for a leader to develop a charismatic personality?

If you believe it is possible, how do you feel about the ethics of a decision to become (more) charismatic?

What words would you use to define the word “charisma”?

Quotation

“Besides intelligence and a knack for strategic planning, they [good managers/leaders] have enormous charm and energy. They have charisma.”

—Robert Hogan

Points of Interest

Psychologist Robert Hogan of the Tulsa Institute of Behavioral Sciences has conducted research involving thousands of managers. He acknowledges there can be a dark side, though, to charisma. Basically, it’s the difference between healthy and unhealthy narcissism. Among the negatives associated with destructive charismatic leaders are behaviors such as these among followers:

A tendency to groupthink because it’s safer than being a devil’s advocate.

A strong desire to please the leader, even if it means altering the truth.

A feeling of discomfort or pressure in the presence of the unhealthy narcissist.

Few attempts at levity.

HANDOUT 46.1