Leadership by Consensus. Isn't.

There is NO leadership in our country today.  These guys go to DC and get indoctrinated right away.  Too many back room deals go on to do anything for the people.

Hi John,  Interesting topic.  Lots of red meat for agents to consider.  Leadership by the most powerful rarely succeeds.

"Leaders must create an atmosphere where alternate opinions are invited, heard, and considered.  Decisions are never made in a vacuum, and the impact on all constituents must be considered.  However, when it comes right down to it, leaders are followed because they LEAD."

This is a very accurate statement, John.  Concensus building as a management tool is very powerful for team building and moving an organization forward together - if its not used solely as a people pleasing mechanism.  Having worked in management in another field I found that managers who invited alternate opinions & ideas, and who could manage conflict well often succeeded because their staff respected their leadership style, even when the manager's decisions weren't necessarily their choice.  In this society "conflict" generally has negative connotations but when handled well it is quite useful to an organization and often the best decisions come as a result.

Interesting topic.  Do leaders emerge from the group?  One must have willing followers to emerge as the leader.  It is tough in the real estate business, I think, as everyone is an independent contractor.  However, once they realize that if they are all "on the same page" it will benefit all, and they will all improve and benefit.

Please clarify: "A management style based upon the interests of the masses or most powerful doesn't work in Washington, D.C. and it doesn't work in our organizations, either."

The interests of the masses or most powerful is EXACTLY what is working in Washington, D.C.  Either the "masses" will protest, form tea parties, etc. OR the powerful get their way.  It's either/or but it does, more certainly, happen in Washington D.C.

Input from team members can be an important way to make them feel included, but the final decision should be done by the leader.

John - I think that consensus can work to some extent though I take your point.

I left my previous brokerage for exactly this reason. The weren't leaders at all and should not have even had the job title. As you said, ruling by consensus is not a leadership quality.

I agree John, the whole purpose of having a leader is to give direction to the organization, it is important to know how the members feel about things but in the end there will not be an organization if someone doesn't lead in a positive single direction.