Author: blg_admin

Author: S. B. Bacharach

Last night’s debate was another example of different proactive leadership styles.  The underlying issue, which seemed to be critical to last night’s drama, was the presentation of self, and specifically, the presentation of emotion. Leaders often walk the tightrope between control and passion.  An expression of passion is meant to convey commitment, sincerity, and a sense of vision.  A low-key expression of control is meant to convey a leader’s being on top of the game, being methodical and unflustered by chaos.

Passion, at its extreme, may convey anger.  Control, at its extreme, may convey a cool indifference.  A challenge for proactive leaders is to know how to balance both of these. In the debate last night, Obama was clearly concerned with presenting an image of low-key control.  McCain was more focused on presenting a sense of passion. The problem is that McCain’s passion, at times, slipped into projected anger, while Obama’s coolness never slipped into indifference.

Author: S. B. Bacharach

Did you ever hear of W.I. Thomas (1863-1947)?  Maybe, if you took a sociological theory class.  If you haven’t, W. I. Thomas teaches us one of the most fundamental axioms in all social theory: “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.”

This is one of those simple sociological principles that is obvious to everyone, but too often is forgotten.  How we define the world, and how the world is defined for us will have real consequences for our capacity to cope, take action, and move forward.

In a time of crisis, we turn to each other for reassurance, some definition of the situation.  In the last few weeks, many of us have turned to our co-workers, friends, and family for a common definition of the situation-with the hope that perhaps we can gain a little solace and peace of mind from a collective definition of what our world is about.