A very interesting slant on leadership Mike.  The WE is a discussion that deeply affects morale.There is often an underlying struggle between team members (aka "the followers) who want more voice in setting direction and leaders who set the bigger picture direction.

Yet, when the leaders sincerely engage the team members in the "how" to reach the ultimate goal, the WE becomes quite real and inspirational.

However, when as you say "the WE expands when we expect trouble and shrink when we expect gain", team members replace inspiration for achievement with skepticism and resentment.

Thanks for raising this issue - it is critical to the heart/soul of an org. and its teams.

Kate Nasser, The People-Skills Coach
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