I posted a quote from Bill George (1983) on twitter the other day, "The business world has run off the rails, mistaking wealth for success &amp; image for leadership", and then asked "Has anything changed?".

Happily I do actually believe that in some quarters it has, but not all. Nowhere near all. I have to say that new paradigms of leadership are really slow in catching on, especially in institutions where the culture permits dictatorship. However, these institutions are totally unsustainable, and I reckon that some of you guys should keep an eye out for where he's been - they'll be needing realignment very soon.

I'm willing to bet that this guy forces conformity, causing fearful people to follow or get out, but in dynamic environments, the resulting loss of creativity and innovation will be devastating. Seriously, who would want to put forth an idea?

Mike's right in the original response. I have also worked under too many dictatorships/rulerships/whatever you want to call it. It's not been fun. When the management team are under that kind of pressure, the only thing that matters is today's bottom line - meet it and you get to live another day! How can that bring meaningful change?

I am hesitant to call it leadership though - it's a particular bone of contention for me, but the way I see it is that if you are pushing or coercing then you are not actually leading. Maybe the world terms it leadership - but I ask you, is it?