Coaching Quote of the Day 15th May 2015
“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
In today’s guest post Fiona Rutherford shares on the topic of leadership as she proposes:
‘The survival of the fittest’ is a phrase that gets thrown around quite a bit in conversations about great leadership, but do we understand its true meaning?
This cold, unsympathetic Darwinian concept is commonly applied to the workplace environment. For example, the ‘sink or swim’ approach is a method of leadership development used by several organisations. It involves throwing employees into the deep end as a way of differentiating between ‘The Sinkers’ (weaker employees who are unable to adapt to change) from ‘The Swimmers’ (stronger employees who are able to adapt and therefore are selected to be leaders).
There are also circumstances when the terms ‘the survival of the fittest’ and ‘every man for himself’ are used synonymously. Especially in our increasingly competitive society, both terms can be used as an excuse for selfish and brutal conduct within the workplace, between businesses and even in everyday life situations.
Although Charles Darwin is often credited with coining the phrase ‘the survival of the fittest’, it was actually coined by a Philosopher named Herbert Spencer. Its initial meaning had nothing to do with ‘sink or swim’ approaches and ‘every man for himself’ tactics. Quite the opposite, ‘survival of the fittest’ has everything to do with altruism, teamwork, cooperation, support and togetherness – the very last words typically associated with this phrase!
The word ‘fittest’ has created much confusion, since the modern use of the word ‘fit’ conjures up an image of a strong, agile and healthy individual. However, in evolutionary terms, it is more about being ‘fit’ for purpose.
Using the true meaning of ‘the survival of the fittest’ concept, below I’ve suggested 3 tips that could help expand your understanding of what makes a great leader.
Great leaders understand that everything in life is about cooperation. In basic biology, for example, we are taught that our organs must cooperate with one another and work together in order to function properly and survive. Darwin proposed that people tend to perform better as a group and consequently teamwork has spread throughout the population. With this idea in mind, in order to maximise group performance and success, a great leader will ensure that each team member has their own unique role, which is recognised, appreciated and valued.
Having a close-knit team is crucial. A great leader will appreciate that within all groups, there will be conflicting ideas and opinions, therefore in order to achieve a common goal there needs to be a strong bond between all team members. For great leaders, bonding is also about connecting on a personal level, ensuring team members feel comfortable enough to express their thoughts and feelings.
Abraham Lincoln, thought to be one of the greatest leaders of all time, is a perfect example of this. He was known for surrounding himself with team members who would openly question his authority and who were unafraid of arguing with him. He would also make himself very available to his team members by holding regular office hours.
Great leaders can be kind, caring and considerate, without being a pushover. It’s important to have a genuine care for each member of your team. Instead of leaving ‘The Sinkers’ to sink, it’s essential to encourage and assist them with developing any strengths and improving their weaknesses, as long as they’re willing to learn. Altruistic leaders can inspire team members to act in the same way, thereby creating an honest and pleasant working environment.
Fiona holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Neuroscience and is embarking on a Masters Degree in Evolutionary Psychology. She is also working part time for Hubworking, contributing to their social media activity. (Find Hubworking on LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter or connect with Fiona and the rest of the Hubworking team on Facebook)
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/misconceptions_faq.php
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
“I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
“Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
What are your thoughts about this quote?
Feel free to share below
“All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
“Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”
(Abraham Lincoln)