# The colours of a leader #permanentnote ## Source - [[book - The wolf in CIO clothing]] ## Keywords (topics and howto) - [[topic - leading and managing]] - [[topic - mentoring, advising and coaching]] it is not always white, or black - [[how to be a better leader]] - [[how to build trust]] in some environments being grey will increase confidence that you understand the rules of the game and deserve respect for that. - [[how to be a better negotiator]] - [[how to have a long-term relationship]] ## Relevant notes - [[zt - giving an A]] should be the default, but be ready to change. ## Notes - Be extreme regularly to remind people of your different colours. Be exteme on a regular basis. - There is not safe middle in leadership. - I prefer "There is not safe middle for a strong leader" ### Grey While a leader's default approach to internal politics should be a positive one, where they are friendly, if the political landscape is not encouraging being nice, a leader must be ready to be sometimes black (let me try to get you out of my way), sometimes white (let's help each other), most of the time grey (you don't help me, I won't help you). The approach is Machiavellian and works better in a pack of grey leaders. ### Light The Light leader is inspirational and empathetic; you want to be part of their team. That is the default colour until the political landscape shows that grey is a better colour. ### Dark Being dark is working with fear; it is about creating and enforcing compliance The dark side is useful for: - protect territory and followers - take a calculated risk - it helps be respected by other dark leaders and helps build alliances