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Quantum Mechanics is the science that studies the particles
that make up every day objects including you and me. Experiments have
discovered that these particles, viewed at a sub atomic level, behave very
strangely indeed. Einstein called this science – Spooky! (Read the Quantum Theory Leadership - An Introduction - here)
Being all things
to all people in every situation, a leader responds with the necessary amount
of interaction, with the minimum required amount of energy, in order to
influence and guide the team to successfully achieve their desired outcomes.
Roy doesn’t share
much detail of how he retrieved the shotgun, loaded it and dealt with the cobra
that was about to invade his grandparents house, but he does exude the
excitement of knowing his father’s trust in his ability to resolve the issue. Even as a gentleman in his forties, Roy still
lights up as he shares the stories of praise and appreciation he received from
various family members at the dinner table that night.
A Definition
Quantum Mechanics is the science that studies the particles
that make up every day objects including you and me. Experiments have
discovered that these particles, viewed at a sub atomic level, behave very
strangely indeed. Einstein called this science – Spooky! (Read the Quantum Theory Leadership - An Introduction - here)
Reading material on Quantum Mechanics, I began to draw
parallels to the area of Leadership. After a comment a reader made on the
seemingly opposing attributes of leadership (some say lead from the front, some
say lead from behind) on an article posted on this blog, I began wondering if
there was a definitive description of leadership with a logical and measurable
manner to offer training and development.
What confused scientist initially about Quantum Mechanics is
that they tried to apply the same laws to the particles that where applied to
the objects the particles formed. Upon realising that particles did not respond
according to the known laws, scientists took a step back and started studying
particles more objectively. Often management rules and principles are mistakenly
applied to leadership in order to explain the roles and responsibilities.
Leadership does not conform to the rules and principles of
management, and we need to understand and learn a new set of rules and
conditions that we must use to be effective as leaders. We are not saying
management is not necessary or of less importance than leadership, merely the
roles and responsibilities are very different and should be recognised and
treated accordingly.
According to Wikipedia: In physics,
a quantum (plural: quanta) is the minimum amount of any physical
entity involved in an interaction. Behind this, one finds the fundamental
notion that a physical property may be "quantized,"
referred to as "the hypothesis of quantization".[1] This means that the magnitude of the
physical property can take on only certain discrete values. This relates to
leadership in this example: A well trained mountain rescue, ambulance
paramedic, fire fighter rescuer – is called to just save a cat out of the tree,
and he responds with the appropriate tools in the corresponding manner to
rescue the cat for the little girl crying.
Quantum Theory
Leadership could be defined at a leader being fully qualified and equipped to
handle each and every situation, but only responds with the minimum required appropriate
interaction, in order to fully engage the team member, allowing their maximum
input rewarded with maximum credit that the situation calls for or dictates.
Being all things
to all people in every situation, a leader responds with the necessary amount
of interaction, with the minimum required amount of energy, in order to
influence and guide the team to successfully achieve their desired outcomes.
Roy, a good
friend of mine, often relays the story of a summer he learned to use a shotgun
under his father’s watchful eye on his grandparent farm. Roy and his father
sent a number of days out of the shooting range on the farm, as his father
explained the dynamics of the weapon and the process of firing an effective
shot.
Roy’s face always
beams as he tell how his targets got smaller and further away as his confidence
and ability to handle the shotgun grew. One hot Sunday afternoon, Roy ran to
his father who was sitting in the front room of the house reading the local
newspaper. Frantically Roy explained to his dad that he had seen a cobra slide
up on to the porch outside the front door. Roy tells how he had anticipated his
father would get up, fetch the shotgun and deal with the deadly intruder. To
Roy’s amazement his father merely glanced at him over the newspaper and bluntly
said “The shotgun ought to sort it,” and returned to his read.
Roy doesn’t share
much detail of how he retrieved the shotgun, loaded it and dealt with the cobra
that was about to invade his grandparents house, but he does exude the
excitement of knowing his father’s trust in his ability to resolve the issue. Even as a gentleman in his forties, Roy still
lights up as he shares the stories of praise and appreciation he received from
various family members at the dinner table that night.
Roy’s father unknowingly
gives us a wonderful example of the Quantum Theory Leadership in action. His
father was familiar with Roy’s ability to handle the shotgun, as he had been
the teacher. His calm response with minimal fuss or instruction allowed Roy to
take ownership of his ability. His father also got out of all possible manner
to share credit with his capable son. His response and the subsequent praise
laid the foundation for Roy to actively participate in competitive Clay Pigeon
Shooting, and ironically enough, gave birth to a passion for nature
conservation – especially for snakes, opting and teaching the least harmful
ways to safely remove snakes from human habitats.
This beautiful
example reminds us that as leaders we possibly have the knowledge and the skill
to resolve any situation that may arise with deadly efficiency, but sometimes,
responding with the least amount of energy and interference will result in what
leaders should seek the most - the most amazing outcomes!
Other Articles on Quantum Theory Leadership by John Usher:
1. The Absurdity of Leadership
2. The 3 K's of Leadership
3. The Maths & Music of Leadership
4. The "Space" of Leadereship
Other Articles on Quantum Theory Leadership by John Usher:
1. The Absurdity of Leadership
2. The 3 K's of Leadership
3. The Maths & Music of Leadership
4. The "Space" of Leadereship
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