We believe that the modern challenges we face call for a different type of leadership. This is a belief that Richard Wilson also shares in his book ‘Anti Hero: The Hidden Revolution in Leadership and Change’. He describes it as a shift from “Heroic” to “Anti-Heroic” leadership. Heroic leaders are those people who believe in command and control styles of leadership, valuing power, charisma and expertise over other (anti-heroic) qualities such as communication, listening, honesty, valuing teamwork and collaboration.
How can we be anti-heroic leaders? Wilson suggests that heroic leaders have four ‘fatal flaws’ – they tend to i) be overconfident in their opinions; ii) lack empathy towards others; iii) be inflexible; and iv) deny the existence of uncertainty. Anti-heroic leaders, in contrast, are much more comfortable with uncertainty because they are capable of holding paradoxes, of holding their truths with an ‘open hand’ rather than a ‘clenched fist’. Some people have called this the subtle realm between our dualistic either/or categories of right and wrong, good and bad, true or false.
Wilson identifies some of the ways in which anti-heroic leaders do this:
An ability to embrace uncertainty and to analyse evidence.
Being highly focused and highly flexible.
Demonstrating personal vulnerability and being highly directive.
Are authentically themselves and committed to personal growth.
Are able to live with contradictions in themselves and the world.
As a result, anti-heroic leaders are better able to adapt to new circumstances, draw upon all relevant information, build diverse relationships, and understand other people.
At Caplor Horizons we would say that ‘they have all four rooms of The Caplor House covered’ – and it is this that equips anti-heroic leaders to navigate an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world, much more so than the ‘mythical’ heroes of times gone by! Caplor Horizons is privileged to work with our Advisor, Lynne (Sedgemore), who is featured in Wilson’s paper – as an example of anti-heroic leadership.
Anti-heroic leadership and authenticity. In a recent podcast about Navigating Imposter Syndrome, our Advisor, Clive (Hyland), and Victoria (Hall), touch on some themes related to anti-heroic leadership and explore the neuroscience behind them. The discussion kicks off by dissecting the definition of “Imposter Syndrome” as the opposite of authenticity, wherein individuals feel disconnected from their true selves, often due to unfamiliar situations. Embracing unfamiliarity or uncertainty and being authentic and connected to our true selves is at the heart of anti-heroic leadership.
New Year: New Partnerships. Two new organisations that we are collaborating with in 2024 are CBM Global Disability Inclusion and Viatores Christi. CBM Global works alongside people with disabilities in the world’s poorest places to transform lives and build inclusive communities. Viatores Christi also works in some of the most marginalised communities – seeking to bring about positive change by improving access to education, healthcare and opportunity.
Both organisations, in their own way, are on anti-heroic leadership journeys. They are asking important and challenging questions about who they are and how they should operate in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.
CBM Global, for example, has identified 8 attributes that they want their leaders to embody through the Leadership Programme that Caplor Horizons is co-creating with them. These attributes are framed as Head (Strategic thinkers, Growth mindset, Creative Problem Solvers); Heart (Authentic, Empowering) and Hands (Inclusive, Collaborative, Accountable).
In 2024 Caplor Horizons is supporting Viatores Christi on a strategy renewal process. The process will require an exploration of some very challenging questions identified as priorities by their Staff, Board, Members and Partners – including ‘Where is, and what lies at the heart of Viatores Christi as it goes through a transition period?’. Asking questions like this is vital for organisations navigating uncertainty and ensuring that they remain connected to authentic mission and purpose.
Change Maker of the Week
Quote of the Week: “When you get your, 'Who am I?', question right, all of your, 'What should I do?' questions tend to take care of themselves” Richard Rohr
Best wishes
Ian, Rosie, Lorna and Kema