Where is the justice

So I was sitting in class last night and we were talking about Leadership Development. It's a Leadership Research class and it is really quite good. However, last night, my trigger got tripped. There are 10 students in the class, seven of them are folks working on their PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. They anticipate going into the field and working in corporations with folks. We started talking about charging for services and the range of folks who receive leadership development services including mentoring, team development, coaching, action learning, etc. One of the I/O folks has been out working and says she typically charges $1,500/day for consulting and more for individualized coaching work. The professor talked about a high-end firm, Kaplan Devries, who for branding purposes only works with CEOs and COOs, and who typically start out with fees of $10,000/day for their specialized clients.

I kept sitting in my seat and kept fuming. The I/O students kept asking more questions about how to do this kind of work and what, as new graduates in I/O they should charge. I absolutely lost it. Here's what I said.

This simply reeks of economic priviledge and continues to perpetuate the stereotype that a leader is limited to straigt, white men who can afford this type of leadership development. It sends the message that black people or woment can't be leaders. It perpetuates messages about what followers should believe is a leader. And quite frankly all of that is a crock of "bullshit."

Yes indeed. It slipped out without me knowing. One of the other classmates said, "Why don't you really tell us how you feel, Stan?" I sat quietly.

On the way home, I kept thinking to myself, why is it that we can't see the beauty and gifts that all people bring to the table? To believe that leadership development is only for those who can afford it, will result in missing incredible opportunities. I think about the leadership qualities of a single mom, who is raising two children on her own, and trying to make ends meet. I think about the homeless people I've met who know how to "work" the system to simply get their needs met. The skills these folks have are those same qualities that some of our "leaders" have, and quite frankly even more admirable than some of the folks who I know who are leading organizations and companies.

This is the stuff I've been thinking about when I think about King Arthur. The King who is still in Avalon, waiting to join us when the time is right. Isn't the time right now?

Comments

[Beth]

Oh horrors! An emotional outburst!

I think your anger was absolutely justified, and to react passionately, instead of with cynical detachment is totally appropriate under these circumstances. Particularly since I doubt you would have otherwise been heard at all.

When we are admonished to speak truth to power, well, obviously, there are many kinds of power. Not the least of which is a bunch of insulated students planning a comfy lifestyle of privilege and wealth, serving an entrenched, unfair system. Instead of, say, using their knowledge to empower those who might really deserve it.

I think if we are going to rouse the sleeping King, we're going to have to make a LOT of noise! Angry? Passionate? Yes. And I am glad you let them have it

[Celeste]

I totally agree with you.

I also think their comments should be taken in the context of their "wishes". They are WISHING they could get a lot of money. Most will not get it.

If I'd been in the room, I'd have asked the I/O person who says their typical charge is 1,500 a day, how many days they have actually been paid that? Just because someone says they have a certain fee, does not mean they are getting it, or have ever gotten it. I also would not believe their answer, unless I'd seen their books. Call me a cynic.

In the therapy field, I hear lots of "coaches" attesting to high fees they charge. At the same time, the coaches I have talked to personally are not getting their stated fees, and at least one who is working in practice with my aunt has not had a single client in around 5 years, yet still pays half the office rent and can say he charges X amount fee.

People tell all kinds of stories.

I hope you don't feel bad about calling it bullshit. I think it's a refreshing breath of air amongst the stink! LOL

I seriously doubt most of the people in your class are going to be leading lives of wealth in that field. I'd love to see a study of actual CEOs and COs that use that kind of service. Do you know of any studies like that?

[Lizard]

I wonder what would happen if you asked the professor to go back and revisit that class' discussion. I wonder if people have been challenged to consider building balance into their future practices. For example, some of the highest paid attornies in Richmond balance their practice through pro bono work. My favorite holistic health care provider is doing grant funded work to bring alternative modalities to "marginal" populations because she is dedicated to the idea that EVERYONE has a right to healthy lifestyle practices. Not just those few who can afford to pay for them out of pocket.

I agree with the support others have stated for your "outburst." I wonder how that energy can be moved forward to bring your classmates to question their assumptions and values and consider making a difference in the world. I believe they are blessed to have you in their class to bring them perspective they might otherwise miss. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti