In a time, when autocratic leadership seems to be mushrooming throughout the world, even in the country many used to consider a reliable torch bearer of democracy, the topic of leadership has become one of utmost importance.

It is strongly linked to questions about what kind of society we want to live in, how should it be organized, what kind of political and economic system should underlie it.

What are the functions of leadership? Is a leader or a leading group entitled to unilateral decision making or do they carry a mandate of representation only with the obligation to serve and protect those that voted for them?

On the socio-political level, these questions are usually settled in a binding contract called ‘Constitution’. But what if a government ignores the contract and starts threatening, and even killing, the people it swore to serve and protect?

The topic of leadership encompasses questions of common values and ethics, human rights and responsibilities for the well-being of all people. It touches upon every aspect of human coexistence. And it starts in the institutions of a given society: what kind of leadership structures do we have not only in government but also in companies, educational institutions, hospitals etc. Shouldn’t all areas in a democratic society be structured democratically?

Let’s approach the topic with some very basic first questions:

• Why do we have leaders?
• Do we actually need them?
• Can’t a group cooperate just fine without anyone specifically being in charge?
• Does every group have a leader (or a group of leaders), i.e. is leading and following a part of human nature?
• If we begin with a small family of parents and kids, does anyone have to ‘be the boss’?
• What about leadership in companies as examples of societal microcosms?

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Resources and links – Leadership in companies

Simon Sinek is one of the leading experts in the topic of leadership. His TED talk from 2010 Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | TED Talk has been viewed almost 70million times. Many related videos and interviews come up when you research him, e.g.

Why Middle Management is the Hardest Job | Simon Sinek

Alex Lyon’s is another expert and coach on ‘leadership’ who has published many videos on leadership styles. He categorizes them into three major types: autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire.

Ricardo Semler’s TED talk offers a radically different approach to company leadership: https://www.ted.com/talks/ricardo_semler_how_to_run_a_company_with_almost_no_rules

His website: Ricardo Semler – Semco Style Institute

TED-Ed: These companies with no CEO are thriving | TED Talk

Netflix text exerpts under Read Read Read | Pat’s Language Cabinet