Build Leaders, Not Knuckleheads
Jam packed with leadership tips, truths, and morsels, “The Art of Leadership” is an obvious choice for classic books on leadership. It’s timeless principles are applicable for leaders as it touches on the heart and spirit of a leader, as well as the head and logic of leadership.
Leadership tidbits…
There were many useful take-aways from this read. Working smarter and not harder is always an intriguing topic for me. The Scanlon Plan gave incentive and ownership to the works, as it exhibited capitalism at its finest. Having a teamwork approach, where the managers are indistinguishable from the workers, speaks to the servant leadership approach. Developing integrity and intimacy in a company spoke to the value of establishing principles while not excluding the person, as strategy came second to people. The concept of roving leaders brought to memory faces who lovingly and quietly served behind the scenes in churches I attended; they created successful communities, functioning as the epitome of servant leaders.
Parenting came to mind when Depree reminded leaders of the responsibility of developing future leaders. Assisting them in developing vision and passion for their lives as they seek to live purposeful lives with efficiency and effectiveness. My dad used to tell me there is nothing that looks worse than an athlete who has all the right gear but has no athletic ability or teamwork skills. He called them “knuckleheads”. Growing up in a lucrative area, my teammates had all the newest and latest athletic gear. When I wanted to play softball, he dug out his baseball mitt from the 1940’s for me to use. It was a relic and should have been in a museum, but I knew it was a moot point arguing for a new glove. I would have to master the sport and show efficiency and effectiveness as a team member and leader if I was to ever get any new gear. Many times I received odd looks at the equipment my dad rustled up for me to use. I remember my brand new $80 glove my dad agreed to buy, and what mattered more than the glove was the “authentic athlete” award that came unspoken from my father. My dad taught me that it isn’t the image of the person that matters but what’s on the inside that matters most, and to use my time and resources to develop my character. Otherwise, I’d be a “knucklehead”.
Culturally delayed tone…
Unfortunately, the verbiage, tone, and illustrations in the book were clearly written exclusively for male leaders, thus making it not entirely culturally relevant for today’s leaders. It reinforces the inappropriate perspective that men are the designated leaders and woman are not worth mentioning as leaders or major contributors in society. I questioned how many women or women leaders had influenced Depree, especially when he mentions his father as being an exceptional leader, yet never credits his mother for her leadership ability. Even when he could have mentioned women generously, he unapologetically continued to exclusively highlight male athletes, artists, professors, friends, and leaders.
As a business woman, it made for a challenging read, for he was speaking in mixed messages; he referred to the importance of being inclusive and everyone having a part, while never even mentioning one female leader, athlete, professor, artist, architect, philosopher, or friend in his illustrations, leadership examples, or personal inspirations. His examples were clear and concrete yet often male-oriented, with terms like: eunuchs, urinals, baseball…none of which are elements in a woman’s world (typically, women play softball versus baseball, a point I repeatedly made to my dad when he called it baseball). The parts women played in the book were usually nameless or side-notes to the story.
Admittedly, it was difficult to keep translating his writing and it was a distraction to his excellent leadership points. It felt a bit like a good-ol’-boys-club experience, where just the men are invited to the inner circle oblivious to the women standing on their tip-toes trying to find a space in the inner sanctum. It’s a scene that does not need to be reinforced for our young women and men leaders, or validated for our current leaders operating in key leadership positions. Since Depree’s leadership experience and knowledge is extensive and well-respected, I would love to read a book authored by him with more inclusivity of women leaders and their contributions within society and leadership. Despite the author’s gender bias for leaders, it held many exemplary leadership points and it was enjoyable reading about solutions and methods in developing leadership character.
About the Author
Jennifer Dean-Hill
10 responses to “Build Leaders, Not Knuckleheads”
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Jenn, thanks for helping me see this book through your eyes. You are correct that Depree’s leadership points would have been more relevant, and reached a much wider audience, had he included examples of women leaders. The fact that Max DePree is 92 years old points to his wisdom that comes from a career where women were not as prominent as top level leaders in our world. Having said that, an updated version including more female-friendly examples might give this book new life.
Yes I agree with Stu!
Once again, I didn’t notice this Jennifer, so thanks for giving your perspective. I guess DePree is of a certain generation where women were less prominent in leadership than they are now! In Great Britain, we have our Queen, Our Prime Minister, First Minister of Scotland, Home Secretary and many more – all women! There are some good female leadership examples for you!
Your country offers a progressive example of women leaders. Thanks for the influence!
“Culturally delayed tone”– well put. I, too, get tired of sermon and book illustrations that are exclusively male. While he did write this in the 80s, the republished edition in 2004 could easily have been revised to incorporate examples of women in leadership. I think that’s one reason I have grasped so strongly onto Emma Percy’s image of “mothering” the church– a fully female metaphor that enhances our understanding of leadership within the church.
Ok, Jenn, I agree totally!
I especially noticed his lack of references to women in leadership because it was one place that was really in contrast to the book I mentioned in my post. For Bilezikian, Inclusivity means women as well. It’s true most of DePree’s experience were during times when women stayed home, but I agree with Stu, Geoff, and Katy an updated version would be welcome.
Thanks Jen. This is the first book that I have had my antennas up about the language—see what an impact everyone has had on me!—and I did notice it immediately with chapter 12’s title. I agree with Geoff that De Pree was from a generation where women leaders were less prominent (in some circles he is credited with starting the influx of books on leadership). That is not a pass for him, of course, just contextual. I know there is more work to be done, but I’m glad we are seeing more women in leadership positions.
In the missions world, it is a historical fact that women have been some of the greatest missionaries the world has known and that continues today. I wish I could introduce you all to some of the great women leaders in our organization. There is a woman on our Europe team who has is so powerful that she has impacted a whole “patriarchal” nation in which she has lived and served for many years. She is not only deeply respected but she is loved and valued by her colleagues and political leaders. We need to do better for sure. I know that we are not in the business world, but sometimes the church can be a more challenging setting for women than the business world. Thanks Jen for a great post.
Thanks Jim for your perspective. It is so valuable and unique with your global travels. Sadly yes, the church can be a challenging place for women to be treated as equals. Glad you’re a part of it!!
Parenting is leadership. I love that point.
Thanks Jennifer
Thank you, Jen. I am growing weary of “translating” male-centric leadership (and theological) texts to make them relevant for myself and other women leaders. Sadly, this book isn’t even 15 years old so there really isn’t any excuse for not having inclusive language. Even if his generation excuses him a bit, it doesn’t excuse the publisher and editors who should know better.
Jen, it is true that many books written on leadership do tend to lean towards more of a men’s club in the way in which they are written. Books written by women leaders for women leaders stand out because of that. The crazy thing is we as women leaders are so used to always having to translate and extract the points the author is trying to convey.
Great post and reflections.