In Defense of Boring Leaders

The Superstar CEO emerged in the last 3 decades. This model of charismatic leadership has taken hold of our imagination but it's time to put it to rest.

I like boring leaders. Boring leaders who demonstrate good judgement, who work hard, who make decisions with the best information available and then act decisively, who get things done, who surround themselves with a strong team (ideally a Team of Rivals with varying viewpoints).

These boring leaders are disciplined. They deliver results. They are curious. They ask questions and engage their team members. They are tough but fair. They are ethical in how they make decisions and in how they treat others. They listen more than they talk. They give credit to their team when it’s deserved. And even sometimes when it’s not. They admit when they’ve made a mistake and don’t finger-point or blame others. They own the outcomes of actions taken by their team, even when those outcomes are less than what was hoped for. Because they are the leaders and the buck stops with them.

I’m in the minority. Most prefer the performance of leadership, it seems.

I don’t like personalities, who “lead” by the sheer force of their personage. They are playing a character — Inspired leader! Charismatic visionary! Visionary guru! They’re impersonating a boss, on a reality show. Most people love it. They fall for it. I get it. It’s seductive.

These bewitching characters abound in corporate America. I’ve worked for many. I’ve always been in the out-group in rolling my eyes (on the inside) at their antics, over from the corner of the room — I’m always the cynic in the back. The fervor in favor of these types of leaders is energetic and loud and hard to challenge. It can be cult-like, in fact. You question (But what are we supposed to do? What’s the actual plan?) and risk being billed a heretic. You’re not a team player. You’re an angry, jealous naysayer. Rather than a clear eyed rationalist.

But these leaders are often con-artists and they usually get outed, and then ousted, in the end.