Leadership is often romanticized as a role filled with unwavering confidence and perpetual success. However, the reality painted in Steven Snyder’s “Leadership and the Art of Struggle: How Great Leaders Grow through Challenge and Adversity” tells a more nuanced story. Leaders, like anyone else, face struggles and challenges. I believe Snyder’s insights are particularly relevant in the African context where leadership is under increasing scrutiny and the need for adaptive, genuine leadership skills is more prominent than ever.
⛔The Myth of Invulnerability in Leadership
The traditional leadership paradigm often showcases leaders as infallible, invulnerable figures. This image creates unrealistic expectations and pressures, masking the essential truth that leaders are human too. Snyder’s exploration of leadership through the lens of personal and professional struggles dismantles the myth of leader invulnerability by presenting struggle as an integral and inevitable part of leadership growth.
4 Key Lessons from Snyder’s Perspectives
- Struggle as a Growth Mechanism: Snyder argues that struggle is not an impediment to leadership but a vehicle for growth. In the African leadership scene, this perspective is crucial. The unique socio-economic challenges, from infrastructural deficits to political instability, can be seen as opportunities for leaders to learn and evolve rather than insurmountable barriers that paralyze progress.
- Self-Awareness and Authenticity: One of the core themes in Snyder’s book is the importance of self-awareness. Leaders must understand their strengths and weaknesses and how these can be leveraged or addressed in times of struggle. For African leaders, this means cultivating an honest recognition of their capabilities and areas for improvement and fostering a leadership style that is both authentic and effective.
- Adaptive Leadership: Adaptive leadership involves changing strategies and approaches based on circumstances. Snyder’s work suggests that leaders must remain flexible and open to new methods. In the context of Africa, where economic and social dynamics can shift rapidly, leaders’ ability to adapt is invaluable. This involves embracing new technologies, considering unconventional resources, and being willing to reconsider traditional approaches.
- Embracing Vulnerability: Perhaps Snyder’s most striking lesson is the power of vulnerability. By acknowledging their vulnerabilities, leaders can build trust and foster a sense of community and support. In African cultures, where communal values are highly regarded, a leader’s willingness to be vulnerable can enhance their relatability and effectiveness.
Case Studies from African Leaders
The article could enrich its argument by examining case studies of African leaders who have publicly faced and overcome struggles. For instance, analyzing the leadership of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia, who led her country through recovery from civil war, or Paul Kagame’s efforts in rebuilding Rwanda post-genocide. These examples can illustrate how embracing struggle and vulnerability leads to resilient and impactful leadership.
Steven Snyder’s “Leadership and the Art of Struggle” offers profound insights that are particularly applicable in the African context. The shift from viewing struggle as a weakness to a growth strategy can revolutionize leadership approaches on the continent. As Africa stands on the brink of substantial socio-economic transformation, the need for leaders who are adaptive, self-aware, and open about their challenges has never been more critical.
Stephan Coridon is an international Leadership & Team coach and a catalyst for meaningful, resilient leadership globally. He focuses on empowering African leaders and fosters leadership that transcends individual success and contributes to societal growth.