In the February issue of Inc. magazine, editor-at-large Leigh Buchanan interviews Ronald Riggio. Riggio is a professor of leadership and organizational psychology at the Kravis Leadership Institute of Claremont McKenna College. He is concerned the word “leadership” has been over-used which has resulted in the term being meaningless. Here are some of his comments from the artilce.
- “Leadership used to mean something specific. C-level executives. Leaders of countries. You would never call a middle manager, and definitely not a frontline supervisor, a leader. Now, when anybody kind of picks up the ball and carries it forward, we call those people leaders.”
- “Teachers are going through them (leadership development plans), and they might aspire to be prinicipals. But they’re just third-grade teachers.”
I understand that Professor Riggio is very successful. He is probably very wealthy and is obviously interviewed by major national magazines of prominence. However, his view of human beings is condescending and insulting.  I could not disagree with him more!
Leadership is not about title, position, or a ranking on an organizational chart. It is about stewarding and leveraging the influence that God has entrusted each of us with to serve others, mobilize people, and advance causes and agendas that improve the quality of human life.
I believe everyone has influence. Everyone. Parents certainly do. Coaches certainly do. Spouses certainly do. Educators and mid-level managers certainly do. I could go on and on. Everyone has influence.
And if you still think you can’t influence anyone, everyone should practice and master self-leadership.
Professor Riggio has me FIRED UP about this issue but I want to hear what you have say. Please take less than 30 seconds and respond to this brief survey regarding his comments.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NBLWPG5.
I will post the poll’s results throughout the week.Â
*Special Note* – Ron Riggio has responded to this post on February 11th, 2012 and I feel his comments should be prominently featured for a balanced perspective.
Hi Brian,
You took the quote out of context (the reporter also took some liberties — like the 3rd grade teacher quote). The point was that the idea that leaders have to be at the top is outdated. Leadership can occur at all levels — which was the point I was trying to make in the interview.
I don’t at all believe that leadership is top-down. Leaders can spring up at any level, and grassroots leaders are likely our hope for the future.
Thanks,
Ron Riggio
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