Looking at Leaders as Symbols

Let’s explore how leaders with value alignments are formed in organizations. Organizational leaders find themselves as institutional advocates; they influence how followers perceive organizational values. In my first professional job, I worked for a great organization with seasoned veterans. My division director met with his staff monthly and always valued our opinions. Although not every division director within my organization was that open-minded, I found myself having a high regard for the organization because of my director. My director had become a Symbolic Leader.

By way of that which they represent, a leader, in whatever form, is a symbol; a singular icon of the group, mass, ideal etc. This symbol can be used as propaganda e.g. The iconic photo of Che Guevara, representing freedom and liberty and the communist ideal.

It can be used in a religious context. Icons have been used for centuries in western religions; images of Jesus, images of saints etc. The use of such icons is also apparent in more esoteric religions such as Buddhism, Buddha statues being a very popular item, one that can even be bought in supermarkets.

The power of these icons, is that they represent something greater than what they inherently are. These leader symbols, are a conduit between the follower and the ideals of the leader.

A different form of leader symbol is that of the pop/rock band, particularly epitomised by the lead singer/guitarist such as: Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, Morrissey, Matt Bellamy. Thos are just a small set of examples of famous lead singer and guitarists that symbolise the look and sound of their respective bands.

Of course eminent persons in any discipline can have the same effect, can achieve the same iconic status to those who adhere to their views. These followers may well then choose to follow in the footsteps of their chosen leader symbols.

The image of a leader can be generated as a powerful tool in symbolising what the group stand for. It can be used to inspire the group and represent that group to wider audience and context.