I’m finding myself laughing over a book titled The Myth of Leadership by Jeffrey Nielsen. The book came out in 2004, but I’ve only recently become aware of it. Actually, it’s an ironic laugh. Nielsen suggests that companies:

a) hire fewer consultants, and
b) place more trust in the wisdom of their own employees.

It’s ironic because hiring fewer consultants can ding my pocketbook — but what I’m really laughing at is this:

What he suggests is exactly what I advise as a consultant:

Listen to the wisdom of the smart people you hired!

Even more ironic is I wrote a column on that very topic also in 2004.

Titled Ignored Talent: A Huge Waste, you can read it on my Leadership Development website or at Management-Issues.com, and if you manage people, I highly recommend you take a moment to do so. 

At worst, you lose a minute of your time. But more likely you’ll gain the respect of your employees –  and their increased loyalty, too.  No myth!

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Filed in Management, Leadership, Workplace, Corporate Culture, Retention