The End of Leadership

One of the best books I've read recently is Barbara Kellerman's, "The End of Leadership."  While it may not interest a large population, those of us in the leadership development movement will likely be a bit shaken by her scathing predictions.  Kellerman, a professor at Harvard's respected Kennedy School of Government, offers a powerful overview of the leadership development industry and its current inability to significantly improve the lot of effective and ethical leading.  I enjoyed corresponding with Barbara, after underlining so much content and realizing that my midlife transition toward getting to leaders while they're moldable vs. moldy is a summation that the leadership industry, while popular and powerful, isn't doing its job.

While the US alone invests an estimated $5 billion (yes, that's with a "B") annually in leadership development, the evolution of society has transcended most books and programs.  Although my own doctoral alma mater, the University of San Diego, was the first institution to offer a doctorate in leadership, now you can find a plethora of leadership degrees.  The answer is not more leadership training, but a new paradigm in which we think of leading.  As I look at where we're headed, I'm convinced that women leaders are the best poised for efficacy, as they bring superior social acumen than most of us guys and they're not as ingrained or steeped in traditional leadership roles.  SheLead is our solution, getting to female leadership between the ages of 10-25 who'll offer the best hope for leading in the future.