Selecting A Leader: Do We Know What We Want?

I subscribe to David's Podcast and have admired him for his philosophies for a long time. This morning I came across a post on FC Now - Questions for the Next Leader by John Baldoni.

Below is John's paraphrasing of David's article from FCNow.

Do we want a decision-maker or a consensus builder? Maister is noted for his consulting in professional service firms. Such firms may value the consensus builder, while a corporation with history of hierarchy may want the decision-maker. The criteria for selection must fit the organization’s mission and culture.

Do we want a people person or results getter? Employees love the people-person leaders. They tend to be accessible and available. At the same time, a company must post results. No results, no company. Ultimately all leaders achieve results through others, but some are more overt in their style. They are hard-chargers versus nurturers.

Do we want a leader who thinks short-term or one who plans for long-term? You may think you want a leader who builds for the future, but sometimes if the organization is in crisis, you need a turn around guy fast. And even if things are going smoothly, you want something to show for it both long and short term.