Are you a Leader, a Tour Guide or a Warden?
Attempting to lead vacationers and prisoners is always an uphill battle
In working with teams, committee members and staffs, we find various levels of commitment and engagement to the task at hand. I’ve discovered a simple tool for “Engagement Detection” that has served to enhance my awareness of others’ attitudes toward our achievement. Might it work for you?
The full article has moved. Read it here.
SMART Leadership 
September 14, 2010 at 2:15 pm
rather than think of manager; think leader, tour guide or warden. Per Druker, Managers direct things, leaders lead people.
September 14, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Thanks Terry, You’re right. I have edited appropriately.
September 16, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Tom,
You forgot one key category of the disengaged – the Sophisticates. These are folks who, if they had one of those cartoon dialogue bubbles above their heads it would read something, “I already know this stuff,” or “I should have her job.”
When Sophisticates do speak, they will often start with something like, “Well, Tom, in my experience…”
What I’ve learned is that when I treat everyone as an “achiever” and expect such achievements from them, most people will in fact begin to act more like achievers.
Sophisticated either believe they already know it all and have nothing more to learn or, more likely, are afraid to show that they still have plenty to learn and need to grow as much – or more – than anyone. Whether it is developmental arrogance or fear, the also present an uphill battle.