Is a leader so important or will a figurehead do?
I have just read a review of a book, Fight by Jonathon Allen and Amie Parnes, on the Presidency and failed reelection campaign of Joe Biden the 46th President of the USA. It is clear that running for re election was a bad mistake, and cost the Democrats any chance of winning. But what also seems clear is that for the later part of his presidency his physical health and mental determination were hidden from the public by the administration. The same inner group of people who hid his incapacity were really running the show and had a vested interest in encouraging Biden to run for re election. If a country the size and importance of the USA can be run by a powerful, small, inner circle how many other large complex organisations are run in the same way and what does this say about so called,”leaders.”
I have certainly worked in organisations where the chair of the board was only nominally in charge. In these cases it was the Chief Executive usually with the backing of the Treasure who was really running the show and the chair and board bent to their will. Does an organisation need a charismatic figure head who can inspire others with their description of a better future or can an organisation be successful with a good actor who can deliver a carefully constructed script with conviction. We have had such an individual as President of the USA. So does it matter who is really running an organisation, who actually makes the decisions as long as the organisation is successful? Well it matters for transparency and accountability.
Blair Mcpherson former Director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk
