Trevor Cousins’ leadership blog

I’ve been having a few weeks of reading lots of new leadership literature while I develop a new leadership programme. I am an advocate of the current school of thinking that there is no ideal set of traits a leader should have but that the important thing is to be authentic, know yourself and bring your strengths to the fore.

However, I came across some work last week by Patricia Pitcher from 1994 which was the culmination of 8 years factor-based research into leadership traits. She describes three types of leader: artist, craftsman and technocrat. While a flexible leader needs to be able to access all types at various times, we all have a natural preference.

Anyway, my insight was that I tend towards “craftsman” which is about solidifying and building on existing success but at many times, especially when developing business for my company, some of the artist traits would benefit me too – such as voicing passion and being daring. So, I’m going to focus on communicating my underdeniably strong vision with more conscious (but still natural) passion. Oh and to take a few more risks.

Here’s a quick summary of the types. When I’m in a work-delivery mode I tend to be the craftsman and when I’m dreaming and visioning I’m more of the artist. Need to work on bringing the two together as they are both naturally me – though the technocrat most certainly isn’t!

Artists – imaginative, inspiring, visionary, entrepreneurial, intuitive, daring, emotional. Tends to BUILD.

Craftsman – well-balanced, steady, reasonable, sensible, predictable, trustworthy. Tends to SOLIDIFY.

Technocrat – cerebral, detail-oriented, fastidious, uncompromising, hard-headed. Tends to focus on UGLY JOBS such as downsizing.

Trevor