Leadership content and my irritability itch

The Bartleby column in the 19 February 2022 Economist expresses an irritation I share. There is too much leadership content everywhere. And so much of it is terrible.

The columnist writes:

 "It is hard for any would-be business guru to stand out in this ocean of effluent." 

With tongue-in-cheek, they suggest some stand out titles still begging to be written: 

• Why your CEO should be more like a giraffe
• Project management: Elephant style
• Skin: Leadership Lessons from the world's Largest Organ.
• Love Bomb: Be kind and crush your rivals
• Write your leadership book, and you too can get rich. 

The protest here is that much of what is published is warmed-over material or written to a formula. There is so much that silliness can no longer be distinguished from a singular and helpful contribution.

What to do? Quit? Join the maddening crowd? 

Not long ago, I landed on what I would do. 

First, I made this content pledge I intend to keep living into. 

Next, I determined to continue drawing on real-world experiences and remaining in conversation with others in theirs, chronicling what we are thinking about and what we are trying and learning as we go. Rather than serving up cotton candy and quotes from others as my own, I'm going for the ancient grains and root vegetables of leadership theory and practice.

It encouraged my spirit to read as respected a rag as the Economist touching this theme. I feel anew the invitation to bring fresh spring water to the middle of the muddy, flooded river.

-mark l vincent

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