Running Into Leadership: Actions Lead the Way
By David Zinger on May 31, 2007 in David Zinger
Phil Dourado has a great leadership snippet based on Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile. Phil makes the point that Roger did not lead the way and relied on the pacing of Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway.
Here is Phil’s conclusion after he has you watch a part of the record setting performance:
It wasn’t a race, by the way. Brasher and Chataway were pace setting for Bannister; leading him, pulling him on to succeed, supporting him. Like great leaders do. Acts of leadership like this one are in fact collaborations in which people take turns to lead. The myth of ‘the leader’ stops us recognizing this obvious truth. Stop viewing leadership through the lens of ‘the leader’. Start thinking ‘acts of leadership’ rather than ‘leader’ and you are better equipped to help build an organization, team or unit full of acts of collaborative leadership.
Click here to view the record performance and read Phil’s comments. He makes us stop and think about leadership as collaborative and to focus on “acts of leadership.”
Thanks for the post Phil. It was inspirational for me not only in leadership but also in running the Manitoba Marathon in 10 days.
You Tube link to the Roger Bannister Video.
Photo Credit: Miracle Mile by http://flickr.com/photos/looli/99033885/
