This article about authentic leadership may be of interest – in part arguing it may perpetuate a “childish, romantic, and ultimately toxic idea”. They argue: · Authentic leadership is said to be a popular but is rather conceptually vague · It’s said to stem from “self-awareness, internalized moral perspective, balanced processing of information, and relational transparency — in short, being “true… Continue reading There is nothing authentic about authentic leadership: Forbes article
Tag: management
Deming: “Eliminate numerical quotas for the work force” and exhortations for accountability, since they are “directed at the wrong people”
“What is wrong with posters and exhortations? They are directed at the wrong people”. So Deming wisely argues. For Deming: · Such exhortations are problematic since they to “arise from management’s supposition that the production workers could, by putting their backs into the job, accomplish zero defects, improve quality, improve productivity, and all else that is… Continue reading Deming: “Eliminate numerical quotas for the work force” and exhortations for accountability, since they are “directed at the wrong people”
Safe As 22: Zombie ideas of leadership – time to exorcise the deceased concepts?
What if many of the ideas we cling to about leaders, are more zombie ideas – outdated concepts that refuse to die? What if some of these ideas are holding back progress in moving forward with more calibrated and effective principles of leadership? Today’s study is: Haslam, S. A., Alvesson, M., & Reicher, S. D.… Continue reading Safe As 22: Zombie ideas of leadership – time to exorcise the deceased concepts?
What type of leadership behaviors are functional in teams? A meta-analysis
Does leadership behaviour in teams matter? If so, what behaviours for effective teams? This meta-analysis of 50 studies (from 2006, so note the age) explored the above question, focused on task-focused and person-focused leader behaviours. It was meant to be a mini-post, but grew into a full post because I couldn’t be bothered cutting it… Continue reading What type of leadership behaviors are functional in teams? A meta-analysis
The relationship between humble leadership and team adaptation: two paths model perspective
This study investigated how humble leadership fosters team outcomes, like team adaptation. Psychological safety climate and reflexivity were explored as mediating pathways. Surveys at two time points across 56 work teams (233 members) were collected. Background: · The word humility derives from the Latin humilitas, meaning from the earth/grounded · Humility has a long history and is… Continue reading The relationship between humble leadership and team adaptation: two paths model perspective
Safe As podcast ep 14: Leadership walkarounds – ritualistic peacocking or solid trust building?
We’ve all heard about or been part of them – leader walkarounds. Are walkarounds backed by solid evidence – do they break down silos, enhance trust, and foster psychological safety, or more symbolic peacocking activities to be *seen* to care, rather than *actually* caring? Today’s article is Foster, M., & Mazur, L. (2023). Impact of… Continue reading Safe As podcast ep 14: Leadership walkarounds – ritualistic peacocking or solid trust building?
Systems thinking, culture of reliability and safety
Fantastic read from Nick Pidgeon on how systems approaches, Turner’s MMD, sensemaking, failure and learning intersect to create or mask ‘safety’. Can’t do it justice, so just a few extracts: · “By 1990, it was clear that the .. intellectual focus was less on analysing how past accidents had occurred .. and more towards .. how… Continue reading Systems thinking, culture of reliability and safety
Mini-Compendium: Psychological Safety
Given the prominence of Psychological Safety (PS), it’s worth sharing some research. It’s likely among the most studied modern concepts in organisational theory – so I can barely scratch the surface. Focus first is articles I’ve summarised, and then on any other full-text items I can find. In my haste, I’ve probably included some psychological… Continue reading Mini-Compendium: Psychological Safety
Karl Weick: Leadership as the Legitimation of Doubt
An interesting article from Karl Weick discussing the merits of ‘leadership as the Legitimation of Doubt’. He argues the strengths of a leader saying ‘I don’t know’. Some extracts: · Providing an example, he argues that a leader saying “I don’t know,” … was a strong act of leadership, not a weak one” · “It was strong… Continue reading Karl Weick: Leadership as the Legitimation of Doubt
Factors affecting learning from incidents: A cross-industry review
This study systematically reviewed the research to unpack the factors that influence learning from incidents (LFI). Likely nothing new to anybody, but it is a good reference paper for tracking down specific research. Background: · Common reasons for ineffective LFI are “underreporting of incidents (Sanne, 2008), incapacity to identify latent circumstances (Jacobsson et al., 2009), the… Continue reading Factors affecting learning from incidents: A cross-industry review
SafetyInsights.org 