Deming Point #7: Leadership for a Change

Russel H. Ewing wrote:

A boss creates fear; a leader confidence.
A boss fixes blame; a leader corrects mistakes.
A boss knows all; a leader asks questions.
A boss makes work drudgery; a leader makes it interesting.
A boss is interested in himself or herself; a leader is interested in the group. 

A true leader understands that he or she is the ultimate servant and a teacher, one who empowers others to realize their hidden potential. The true leader also knows the principles of -- and practices -- situational leadership. The true leader does not rule by fear or refuse to be accountable to others.

In his book from 1978, James MacGregor Burns writes, "Leadership is the reciprocal process of mobilizing, by persons with certain motives and values, various economic, political and other resources, in a context of competition and conflict, in order to realize goals independently or mutually held by both leaders and followers." 

This is one of many definitions, virtually all of which focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities and traits of a leader that are presumed to be the most successful in getting followers to do what the leader asks of …