Discussion
Suppose you have a group of say 10 people trying to work out how to deal with a situation. Most can't come up with anything but Fred suggests option A and Tom suggests option B.
After some discussion the rest of the group fall in behind Tom and apply option B, ignoring Fred.
It turns out Tom has overlooked something Fred spotted, so Fred was correct.
Which one would be the best team leader? Fred obviously can't get people to listen, but Tom apparently doesn't listen. Fred would be pretty fed up and being told to follow Tom, but you can't really make him a team leader until he can get people to listen to him.
After some discussion the rest of the group fall in behind Tom and apply option B, ignoring Fred.
It turns out Tom has overlooked something Fred spotted, so Fred was correct.
Which one would be the best team leader? Fred obviously can't get people to listen, but Tom apparently doesn't listen. Fred would be pretty fed up and being told to follow Tom, but you can't really make him a team leader until he can get people to listen to him.
Dr Jekyll said:
but you can't really make him a team leader until he can get people to listen to him.
Why not? You've given a scenario where none of the group has authority, and unsurprisingly the dominant personality has taken over. If Fred is given the authority for decision making and delegation, and is compentant (which it seems he is), why wouldn't the others listen to him in that situation?egomeister said:
Why not? You've given a scenario where none of the group has authority, and unsurprisingly the dominant personality has taken over. If Fred is given the authority for decision making and delegation, and is compentant (which it seems he is), why wouldn't the others listen to him in that situation?
Agreed, as soon as everyone else follows Tom, Fred will think he has no chance of being heard as they have already made up their made, so doesn't try to make himself heard. Give him the authority and the whole situation changes IMO. 
Fred sounds like a poor leader. Not only can he not communicate the benefits clearly he can't also inspire the team to follow his vision or idea. A good idea doesn't make a good leader. Do the bees leaders always get to the objective in the most efficient way? Not necessarily but if everybody is pulling together they get there. Arguably some of the best leaders on business and politics have been flogging crap policies, ideas and products but the belief is second to none.
Dr Jekyll said:
So assume it's a general trend rather than just one situation.
Tom has the authority but consistently cocks it up. Fred has the right solutions but has no authority.Giving Tom the team leader job won't change anything. Giving Fred the team leader job (and the associated authority) may change things.
I've worked with a lot of both over the years... what worries me with Fred is are his ideas actually any good?
The rest of the team don't seem to think so, and whilst he may work with a bunch of idiots who just won't listen (in which case he NEEDS to be looking elsewhere), it's equally as possible IMHO that he's the sort that puts forward ideas that even he doesn't have the belief in to pursue in any length, and effectively lies waiting to rubbish someone else's plans when they don't quite work as intended...
I'd hate to have to pick either without highlighting their shortcomings and giving them a chance to prove they can address them!
The rest of the team don't seem to think so, and whilst he may work with a bunch of idiots who just won't listen (in which case he NEEDS to be looking elsewhere), it's equally as possible IMHO that he's the sort that puts forward ideas that even he doesn't have the belief in to pursue in any length, and effectively lies waiting to rubbish someone else's plans when they don't quite work as intended...
I'd hate to have to pick either without highlighting their shortcomings and giving them a chance to prove they can address them!
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