Leading Diverse Followers

Abstract

Leadership is impossible outside of a community defined by shared values and vision. Leadership is a process of first developing a culture founded on values that most group members share (or learn to share) and then enrolling them in joint action to accomplish the leader's vision. Present trends to accept unreservedly the values of every social, ethnic, or gender group militates against shared culture and makes leadership impossible. This article makes the case against blind acceptance of the values of every group (sub-culture) present in the society. But, since diversity is a fact--and an asset--nine implicit features of American culture are identified as a foundation upon which leaders can begin the process of building community as a basis for their leadership.