Leading from Freedom

A good curriculum for leadership emerges from a discussion of what it is to exercise leadership. Leadership is the opposite of tyranny, so it helps to start by identifying the features of tyranny that students recognize in domineering teachers, coaches, band directors, or parents. Leadership in the real world often blends with authority; even the worst dictators have shown some leadership. We need to distinguish the tools of leadership from those of tyranny, and real-world examples often obscure that distinction, so we need to study the concepts and values involved. Leadership goes beyond carrots and sticks: leadership is most apparent when followers are most free not to follow but do anyway. When women have succeeded as leaders this is especially enlightening, as they have rarely used authority to do so.