Pragmatism – i.e. practicality. A traditional, and often desirable, trait of leaders. Unfortunately, it reminds me of that Dudley Moore line in the 1990 movie “Crazy People,” when, as an advertising exec, he wrote: “Volvo’s: they’re boxy but they’re safe.” Practical? Yes. Effective? Meh. Much of the advice from the gurus this time of year could fall into this pragmatic category as they encourage a conscious, deliberate, pragmatic approach to the new year, one filled with concise plans, clear goals and the restraint to bite off no more than one can chew in the months ahead. Sage advice, I suppose. Making plans, after all, needs a lot of practical know-how and discipline, and leaders who can do so well are often commended. Such a leader defines a clear and well articulated vision and decides how to get there. They take action. But when that vision and that plan is built upon pure pragmatism, i.e., only what is practical, well…then they cease to be leaders. They are doers, for sure, but leaders? Such “leaders” make the mistake of thinking that clarity of vision, no matter how safe or restrained, is all they need to truly be a good leader. But that approach alone misses a key element of truly great leadership, and honestly? If you live only in that pragmatic world you’ll ultimately fail.
Leadership is bigger, more 3-Dimensional than that. As you face the start of 2017 with all the challenges built in from the start, real leadership isn’t calling for you to envision the practical; it’s begging for you to see what others have deemed impossible. In the immortal and beautiful words of Robert F. Kennedy: “There are those that look at things the way they are and ask why; I dream of things that never were and ask why not!” Leadership isn’t pragmatism, leadership is the courage to see what could be, coupled with the courage to name and face the fears and doubts that stand in the way. Even if occasionally irrational, those fears and doubts are the obstacles great leaders face and overcome. Claiming your vision, building your courage, and owning and overcoming the fears and doubts in yourself and those you lead is one of the true pillars of leadership.
