Leadership: Should a Leader Lead from the Front or Back?

How Do You Lead?

Leadership is a concept that has intrigued me for years. It’s also scared me when I’ve been given such responsibility.

I’ve been fortunate to serve on leadership teams and have held positions where I’ve led others. While I’ve never considered myself a natural-born leader, I’ve become comfortable in roles that require me to take the lead.

However, a fundamental question has always lingered in my mind:

Should leaders lead from the front or lead from the back?

At first glance, it may seem like the answer lies within the word itself — “leadership.” Leading implies being at the forefront, right?

Well, that’s what I used to believe. However, as I’ve observed and reflected upon leadership in various contexts, I’ve come to realize that the answer is not as straightforward as it seems.

Historically, we can find examples of leaders who led from the front lines, such as kings in battle, wielding their swords and inspiring their troops.

This image of a leader charging into the fray is undeniably noble and romantic. But it also raises a crucial question: Is it responsible for a leader to place themselves in such grave danger, risking their own life, regardless of how inspiring it may be to their team?

To shed light on this dilemma, I thought of an analogy — an oil tanker. These massive ships have nothing at the front except space for cargo, and the deck is situated at the very back.

This made me wonder: Could this structure be a better model for leadership? The captain, positioned at the back, has an unobstructed view of the path ahead and can strategize and plan accordingly.

They are protected while leading the way, but are they too removed from the action on the front lines?

However, my thoughts swayed back to the opposite scenario, epitomized by the movie “Braveheart.”

In this film, kings sit safely on a hill, watching as others lead the charge into battle, while William Wallace is at the very front, exposing himself to the most danger. Which approach is right?

Leaders who remain distant from the front lines might be too far removed to communicate effectively with their teams and generals on the ground.

While they stay safe and gain the advantage of seeing what lies ahead, they might miss the nuances of what’s really happening on the battlefield.

This situation is akin to leaders in ivory towers or managers tucked away in corner offices. All the action is on the ground, and they can be far removed from it, even if they have the benefit of foresight.

Considering the boat analogy, I thought of another one — a cruise ship. The captain is typically positioned towards the front and middle of the ship but situated high.

They’re not at the very top, but they’re close enough to see the front. They have the flexibility to observe the rear, and they can communicate effectively with the crew in all directions.

In this analogy, I found my answer: A leader in an organization should be positioned in the front, near the front, at the back, and in the 360° mix.

They should be in the midst of the action, fully engaged, and safe, all while having a clear view of potential challenges ahead.

In a modern-day organization, effective leadership demands versatility and adaptability. To lead effectively, it’s essential to be right in the middle, where you can navigate with precision and foresight.

While you may have a different perspective on this matter, my years of experience and witnessing changes in the business landscape have led me to believe that, in the context of a modern organization, the most effective leaders are those who choose to be in the middle, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with it.