Leadership: Oscar Schindler defines power in the movie Schindler’s list

Leadership: Oscar Schindler defines “power” in the movie Schindler’s list

Schindler says “Power is when we have every justification to kill - and we don't.”

Drawing parallel to leadership at workplace… We see so many leaders throwing their weight around - especially in difficult situations when team is not performing - coming down harshly on people for mistakes, criticizing them overtly (and worse covertly). It gives them (false) sense of power, I guess. By doing this, they get the “things done” over short term, not realizing the damage done long term by de-energizing the team.

Acting with affection or getting along with team members (especially the during difficult situations) is a far cry for such leaders.

Connecting back to my post on JRD Tata... I feel affectionate leadership produce more sustainable results ... the control during the difficult situations is the power.

As leaders we expect our team member to respond in the way we would respond when placed in her shoes. This is when we stop getting along with them. We fail to harness their individuality, their strengths and their perspective. Instead of expecting them to follow our way, we need to get used to doing things their way. The “control” is about control over imposing ourselves on them – when you’ve every justification and hierarchical position to do that.

The lessons of leadership are learnt not only at the workplace but also during seemingly mundane things such as teaching sustainably good driving skills to a new learner.