Is it the Challenge that Really Matters?

The May issue of Harvard Business Review features an article by Bryon Reeves, Thomas W. Malone, and Tony O'Discoll called "Leadership's Online Labs."  The headline description on the first page of the article boldly claims, "Tens of millions of people are honing their leadership skills in multiplayer online games.  The tools and techniques they're using will change how leaders function tomorrow - and could make them more effective today."  The premise is intriguing and while I'm not 100% sold on the authors' claims, they do merit consideration.  Here's the piece that I found most interesting and got me thinking about a new approach to leadership development (p. 63):  "Most writing about leader selection and development focuses on people's backgrounds and natural talents.  Whether leadership ability is inborn or acquired through training, the assumption is that expertise resides within the individual.  Our study provided us with an arrestingly different view:  Perhaps the right environment is what really matters, whoever the leader happens to be."

Give the article a read and then let me know what you think.  If the authors' are right on this issue, the notion that "Leadership is Everyone's Business" just became even  more critical and it may be the challenge that really matters when it comes to gaining leadership expertise.

Posted by Lisa Shannon

Comments

[Daren Blonski]

As the old saying goes, "A prophet is without honor in his or her own land." The environment creates opportunity for leadership. But it is the leader that must be prepared. Proper preparation and the proper situation go hand and hand when it comes to leadership.

Challenge surfaces those who have prepared to lead; whether the leader has conciously prepared or has been uncounciously conditioned.

[Magdy Karam]

"The Challenge" creates a leader within the context of the challenge. That is my opinion. I have seen "leaders" who manage to do a good job in "leading" a team in a game which they have mastered over the years, but are "followers" with very little initiative and creativity when it comes to business arenas that they feel less comfortable with.
Magdy Karam

[Austin SEO]

I think this book is great! I gotta have it. Definitely challenge matters. It will show more on what each person can do, and also it enhances your talent.