There is a Lack of Leadership in Corporate America

According to Don Clark, leadership is defined as a process where a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Leadership is almost non-existent in corporate America. Lack of leadership has contributed to most of the recent debacles we have had in corporate America today.

In corporate America there are people who are in positions of authority that have absolutely no leadership skills. Many of them have not earned their titles based on merit but have been placed in positions because of seniority. This is definitely a trap set for fools. In order to be a good leader a person must be humble. Too often people forget that they were once in the capacity of a subordinate. A true leader can guide others over a bridge only if he/she too has once successfully crossed the same bridge. Placing someone in a leadership position does not mean that they possess the necessary attributes that it takes to be a leader. One of the United States army's principles of leadership is setting an example. In today's corporate American this is not being done. In most cases, subordinates mirror the behavior of their supervisors both good and bad. Unfortunately, bad leadership traits are the ones the people pick up the most. If people see a leader that is non-productive then he/she will not feel any remorse about not being productive themselves. One who possesses true leadership ability will deny themselves to contribute to the welfare of their subordinates. For example, if an organization was experiencing budget cuts that may lead to possible layoffs. A true leader might voluntarily take a slight cut in pay to ensure someone keeping his or her job. Leaders today are selfish. They will not deny themselves to contribute to the welfare of their subordinates.

Leadership must be redefined in corporate America. Just because someone is in a leadership position does not mean that they have what it takes to actually be a leader. In order to be an effective leader a person must lead by example.