14 dic 2009

What is the leadership book I should be reading?

It was probably 5 years ago, while waiting in airports, I read a Chris Lowney book about leadership the Jesuit way, and it´s been haunting me since then. This week I’ve been thinking about it a lot, since I’ve been having a lot of issues with my team.

The author criticized books about leadership written by sport trainers. He said that basketball coaches always play de same game, the rules never change, so motivation and leadership techniques used there does not apply in the real word. He then explained how the Jesuits are excellent at adapting to whatever comes. He had a point, and explained many examples thought history.

But what bothers me is that all these wonderful techniques Lowney exposed only apply for Jesuits how make a life commitment to be in the Company. I have to deal with people that have very little commitment to the company, are probably seeking higher payment jobs as we speak and will resign in a second at any time without even a week notice.
I have an unstable team, with little loyalty. What leadership? I am not leading, I am struggling to keep track while most of the people on my team are pulling their way. Most of them will not go the extra mile if we face any problems. So, leadership in the corporate world really means use people as long as they let you use them, and be sure that none is indispensable, for they eventually will leave.

What is the leadership book I should be reading then?