Many models of leadership exist.

A favorite of many, with massive buy-in is the “Hollywood” version of leadership. Our society has embraced and idolized a stereotype leader we see depicted in film, like the Lone Ranger.

This type of leader is nearly omnipotent, strong, and able to handle almost everything that comes his (yes, his) way almost single-handedly. He has all of the answers and endless energy. In many organizations, we have come to expect this type of leader to lead and guide us through the hard times and reign in the good times. These leaders are expected to have strength, courage, valor, and vision.

This perception and expectation of leadership is harmful to both the leaders and the followers.

It is unrealistic.

Inevitably, the Hollywood leader in organizations, communities, and countries fail, leaving the followers disillusioned and fearful. The leaders in organizations that succumb to this model pay a hefty price of, isolation, stress, fear of failure, stress-related illness, or worse.

Why do we create these types of leaders literally and figuratively? Perhaps the answers lay in our fears and wanting to be rescued. So many of us grew up with the fantasy of fairy tales where we (females) were rescued by the handsome prince who led us out of adversity. We never got to know the rest of the story about the “leaders” uncertainty or vulnerability. We never saw anything about the rescuer/leader below the surface.

Perhaps another answer to this question could be our instant-fix culture. We want it (whatever it may be) to be fixed NOW! We want instant food, photos, pain relief, escape, and reality. We want instant gratification, and we don’t necessarily want to work for it. By having the leader ride in on the white horse and save the day works much better for us…or so we think.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on both the leadership and the gratification concepts. What do you say?

With love and no drama,

Maria