I admit it. I am a fan of the web television drama House of Cards. In fact, I’ve been doing some binge watching since the show hit Netflix yesterday.
In one episode, Kevin Spacey’s character, President Frank Underwood, declares that you cannot “go against gale force winds.” Just as one might expect, this statement leads to some less than straightforward activities on President Underwood’s part. This statement brought to mind principles from the book, The Tao of Leadership - Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age by John Heider.
The theme of openness runs throughout this book. It includes openness to self and to others. It presents a very different view of leadership than many people hold, including the fictional President Underwood.
Mr. Heider talks about the concepts that power comes through cooperation, independence through service and a greater self through selflessness. At the moment when President Underwood spoke of joining force with the prevailing wind, I don’t think he had in mind true cooperation, service or selflessness. For many leaders these traits seem counter-intuitive to their understanding of how one leads: with power and self-promotion. However, when a leader is open to other’s ideas and methods and when she encourages and supports her team’s efforts rather than promoting her own, the team becomes stronger, more confident and more able to act on its own. Perhaps counter-intuitively, the leader also gains power, independence and self-confidence through her actions.
Another theme in the book that stands out to me is that of silence. In my experience, real silence is not often practiced in the corporate word or in the fictional White House of “House of Cards”. This quote describes real silence: When you do not understand what a person is saying, do not grasp for every word. Give up your efforts. Become silent inside and listen with your deepest self. In paying attention and listening in this way, a leader can hear beyond the words to the emotions, tone, body language, mood and even bring consciousness to what is going on around them. In Co-Active® Coaching, we call this Level 3 listening. When done effectively, true silence and full attention bring greater and more inspired understanding and connection between the leader and team member.
A final theme from the book that I find meaningful in the context of “House of Cards” is that of being centered and grounded. This practice allows a leader to be open. Being centered helps a leader maintain equilibrium even in the midst of erratic behavior or a whirlwind of busy-ness. Being centered comes from a strong foundation based on personal values and purpose, as well as the mission and goals of the team. This internal “knowing” becomes the touchstone for the leader when chaos, dissension or lack of clarity surrounds them. In the case of Frank Underwood, his values and goals are only for himself, which, as we learned earlier, does not bring balance and true self-knowledge.
Frank Underwood clearly wields power in his fictional world. However, I am confident that his power does not come from cooperation, service, selflessness, silence or being centered. I feel certain his will not be an enduring power. As a leader, the character of President Underwood is an example of how not to lead. I’ll keep watching him, though. He is a delightfully wicked anti-leader.
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