Bona Fide Leadership
I can’t stand people, especially leaders, that don’t deal with others in good faith. I took my two business law classes almost 20 years ago, yet the concept that has stuck in my mind over time is that of the good faith transaction. Wikipedia defines good faith as “sincere, honest intention or belief.” What I never knew until yesterday was that the term “bona fide” means in good faith.
Bona fide leadership does not play games. If you find yourself competing with those you’ve been given the privilege to lead to “win” on an issue, you are not a bona fide leader. I have no respect for leaders that lack a heart for important issues, or lack the courage to voice their real opinions when the heat is on. But I abhor leaders that manipulate, deceive, or otherwise disrespect their constituents during decision making or negotiating. That’s simply inexcusable.
Bad faith “involves rationalizing to form a belief in which there is deception, duplicity, insincerity, or dishonesty, due to failing to take certain facts into account or using invalid argumentation.” (Wikipedia). Mala fide leadership might get you tactical wins over your constituents in the short term, but as soon as they discover your game you will lose whatever trust they had in you.
Bad faith leaders are liars, not bullshitters. The bullshitter’s main purpose is to impress us by exaggerating or otherwise “stretching” the truth. Liars, on the other hand, know and care about the truth but in bad faith purpose to deliberately mislead us instead of telling the truth.
Your leadership is honorable only to the extent it is bona fide. Sacrifice your honor and you surrender the moral authority to lead.
What do you think? Please share your comments below!
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About the Author: Bret L. Simmons
Welcome to my blog! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section of my posts. I publish all constructive, non-anonymous comments. 
Bret, all I can say is Bravo! This is so true. You can’t lead by overpowering, coercing people to agree with you, or competing for “points” for being right. (My ex-husband became that person, which is why he’s my ex!) You have to listen to the people that you’ve trusted enough to put in positions to be able to share their perspectives with you and use that information for the overall betterment of the firm.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Sounds like you “managed” that bad situation as best you could, Leeja. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Bret
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Bret,
Great post. I agree 100% with your points. Nothing get’s me more irritated then watching someone in leadership not speak their true feelings. I believe that a lot of times it’s due to them being worried about that next promotion or how the boss see’s them. Frankly, if my boss doesn’t respect the fact that I give it to him straight each and every time we speak, then I don’t want to work for him. I may not agree with what your telling me, I at least respect you for telling me the truth. I just wish more people would understand this and lead from truth, instead of the bull.
Greg
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Very well said, Greg, and I strongly concur. I can suffer the hard truth, but I can’t stand being played. Thanks! Bret
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Great post! The tale tell sign is when your boss becomes a character in Dilbert. That is when you know the difference between a bona fide boss and a mala fide one
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Welcome, Christopher. When your boss becomes a character in Dilbert – sounds like a post someone needs to write! Thanks for sharing. Bret
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Bret – Great article, I love the end when you describe the difference between bullshitters and liars, I never really thought of it that way, but its so true, a leader that tells a lie never really had anything but bad intent where as a bullshitter may at one point have had good intent and just stretched it.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
February 13th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Welcome, Jessica! I can suffer a bullshiter, but I liars really suck. Thanks! Bret
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Bret, you got it! Thou I have to say that in rare events, only few and far between, one has to rely on extreme measures. But those measures have to be honestly justified and in my opinion liars do not cary nor can they give that justification.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
May 26th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Welcome, Samuli! thanks for sharing your thoughts! Bret
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