Leadership Theatre
Sound strong. Avoid risk.
Modern leadership has a tell.
It sounds impressive. It commits to nothing.
“We recognise the complexity.” “We’re taking this seriously.” “We’re listening.”
All true. All useless.
Because leadership isn’t about understanding the problem. It’s about doing something that might not work—and owning it.
That’s the bit we avoid.
So we stretch the moment. More data. More consultation. More time. Not because we need it. Because it protects us.
Delay is the last safe decision.
The organisation adapts. It learns that clarity is dangerous. Vagueness is rewarded. The less you commit, the longer you last.
So leaders become performers. Fluent. Careful. Hard to pin down.
And the organisation drifts. Slowly. Politely. Inevitably.
Until something forces a decision.
And suddenly we want courage.
You don’t get courage on demand.
You get what you’ve been practising.
And we pretend not to notice.
Blair Mcpherson former Director author and blogger blairmcpherson.co.uk
