Pragmatic leaders--from the Ideal to the Real

Pragmatic leaders face the realities of the business environment


The most apparent characteristic of pragmatic leaders is their focus on the organization rather than on people. Pragmatic leaders face the realities of the business environment; they listen to and understand the truth, whether good or bad, hopeful or daunting. They are effective because:

Have a vision that is recognizable as a variation of the status quo

listen carefully to their people

make realistic decisions for the good of the organization

manage by the numbers

put the right people in the right positions to get the job done

delegate responsibilities to people they can trust

Pragmatic leaders may not be as flamboyant or exciting as other types of leaders, but they get the job done. Pragmatic leaders are most effective when an organization is going through rough times or when the business environment is too turbulent to see far ahead, when a short-term, familiar vision is necessary.

After all, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were successful in attaining the goal of the Northwest journey. When they reached the Pacific Ocean in April 1805, Lewis wrote the he was "much pleased at having arrived at this long wished for spot."

ACTION POINT: Use pragmatism to focus on the needs of the organization.