“Cult of personality” vs. Self-awareness

The term of art “cult of personality” has been used in the media to describe the type of leadership exhibited by U.S. Presidents and other world leaders. While I don’t mind the ‘descriptive’ use of the phrase, I am put off by the ‘prescriptive’ use of it in the context of today’s Presidential campaign.

Among other attributes and experiences, effective leaders emerge from within and over time. For the leader within us to emerge, we must become self-aware. Self-awareness is intrinsic to effective leadership. “Cult of personality” is extrinsic.

Tags: Leadership Styles