Leadership and Force

The world’s eyes have all been on the conflict in Ukraine in recent weeks as the horror of war has unfolded. The emotions of anger, fear and helplessness have risen up in many of us alongside deep respect and hope engendered by the way the Ukrainian people and leadership have responded. Putin might be successful in subjugating some Ukrainian cities through the force of his army but he will never win the hearts or minds of its people.

That’s because there’s a principle in life and leadership that takes time for all of us to learn and that is that anything important can never be forced. We can force certain behaviours on other people, like parents using the carrot and stick to ensure their children behave in certain ways. We can use positional power as leaders to ensure those who work under us do what we want or do things in the way we want them done. Those in political leadership can use their armies to subjugate other peoples and nations. But, nobody can ever force people to respect them or trust them. Nobody can ever force another person to admire or appreciate them. You cannot force the admiration or honour or love of another person.

So, in your leadership how much force are you using? You might achieve certain ends by weight of personality or opinion but breed resentment in the process. For it is impossible to build a culture where people will thrive through fear.

Over the past few months we’ve been working with the leaders at Westgate Hill Academy in Newcastle. The school has gone from being in special measures to being rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED in a four-year period, which is virtually unheard of. How did they manage that? Was it by exerting more pressure on their teachers to perform? Was it by wielding a big stick? Not at all. It was through a well-being pledge for staff, by not sending any emails out after 6pm and a host of other small things that built a culture of trust, respect and support. When people in any school, business or voluntary organisation work in a culture like that, good outcomes take care of themselves!