Leadership Searches: Fascinating Factoids

While checking out keyword searches and behind-the-scenes stats here, I discovered that:

• 101 times a day there is an internet search for the phrase Leadership Qualities.

• 107 times a day: What is Leadership?

• 160 times a day: Training Leadership.    
  

• 229 searches a day for Leadership Development.
  

• 289 times a day: Leadership Styles.

• 1591/day: Leadership.

I didn't pursue other combinations but it's clear, from just those examples, that people are "searching for leadership".

Sometimes I wonder what percentage of those searches involve people in leadership positions working at self-development and what percentage are employees & students wanting to learn more about what effective leadership looks like.

Any thoughts or hunches?

photo source: totally unknown.

Comments

[Mike Myatt]

Hi Steve:

I just went through some similar analysis not too long ago. I reached the same conclusion that people are in fact searching for leadership. Moreover, I worry about our industry's ability to meet the needs of those searching for leadership. I shared my thoughts on this here: http://www.n2growth.com/blog/examining-leadership-rhetoric - All the best Steve...

[Mark Daniels]

My guess: Mostly people who are in leadership or want to be in leadership. But my feeling is that better leadership skills are sharpened less by pursuing them directly than indirectly. By that I mean, if we develop ourselves as people and as, here's a word we don't like, servants, we will learn how to lead. Leadership is the delivery system. Servanthood or service is the content of the package. Develop that package, develop skill sets, and leadership skills will follow. So will people. Just my thoughts.

[Wally Bock]

I suspect that some of what you observed grows out of two things. 1) We search the web for everything from sausage recipes to spiritual guidance. And 2) "Leadership" is a magic word for many and they're looking for the secret behind the magic.

My experience is that ultimately leadership is incarnate or else it's just a list of traits or characteristics or qualities. When you've experienced good leadership, that becomes your reference point.

[Lluc Potrony]

I reached this blog while trying to understand my working enviroment. I didn't understand my manager motives.

I filled a newly created position in my company. Being in a new position, I was expecting some guidelines on what to do or don't do. I spent two years there and I still don't know what objectives I have to pursue. I politely asked for guidelines several times and I got none. I felt deep frustration.

Thanks to you, now I have stopped worrying. I know that it's not my fault. I am open to managers suggestions —if they eventually say something. Their intentions are good but they try too hard.

[Janna Rust]

Great questions. I'd never thought about who might be searching these out. The easy answer would be both. :) I'm sure that a variety of types of people are searching this out, but my gut tells me that they are people already in leadership positions or recently promoted who desire to know what is expected of them since most people are never taught how to lead. I'm also wondering how many of these searches are by people in nonprofits where training budgets are tighter.

[Sarah]

I think it also has to do with people who are trying to define leadership in their own organizations, but don't want to start from scratch. It's a type of "literature review" before they dive in to customizing the definition to fit their culture and their business needs.

[Steve Roesler]

Mike,

First, I want to direct readers to the URL you added. It is a well-stated set of concerns.

Second: The more I think about this issue, the more I wonder about this: Are people looking for "effective" leadership in the organizational sense, or are they (perhaps even unknown to themselves) actually seeking firm, trustful, clear direction based in integrity?

[Steve Roesler]

Mark,

That's a posture that will get no argument from here.

I've never seen an effective leader who hadn't been an effective follower. Taking one's role as a follower seriously means serving others in ways that put the "self" aside while growing in that process. It is a paradox that requires a degree of surrender that many are unwilling to make.

[Steve Roesler]

Wally,

You are the first person to use the word "incarnate" in a comment.

I must find some suitable reward.. .

[Steve Roesler]

Lluc,

That's a difficult situation for you, or anyone. Providing direction is the most fundamental task of good leadership.

I wish you well. . .

[Steve Roesler]

Janna,

I think Wally's opening statement is so true: people use the internet to search for everything from sausages to spiritual guidance. So, you just never know motive.

However, I just had a lengthy discussion with a rather prominent provider of online education. Our common experience over the past couple of years shows increasing activity and spending by small and medium sized businesses--and non-profits--for online education. Consistent with that, many large corporations have reduced their classroom T&D budgets and are giving people a specific pool of money to use for development online.

So, I think you are onto something with your final suggestion.

[Steve Roesler]

Sarah,

I hadn't thought of anything that simple but obviously necessary. Good one.