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The concept of cosmetic leadership is rooted in leadership without vision, without principles and with little or no direction for the organization. Cosmetic leaders are there only for the glory, the fame, the popularity, the power, that leadership positions have to offer them, and do not really have a sense of fulfilling the organization’s mandate or have a sense of vision direction for the organization. Cosmetic leadership looks beautiful on the outside, it is glamorous; it is expensive, but within is emptiness and lack of organizational progress. Cosmetic leaders can hardly point to anything they have done or achieve since they have assumed the position of leadership. But on the outside, they love to be seen and addressed as leaders. Jesus gave an example of cosmetic leadership pattern in Matthew 23:1-7. The Bible says:
Listen to Podcast: The Weakness of Cosmetic Leadership Pattern on Organizational Effectiveness
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”
There are a number of weaknesses with this pattern of leadership on organizational effectiveness. Many cosmetic leaders don’t actually understand the untoward level of damage they are bringing upon the organization they are leading.
#1. The very first weakness of cosmetic leadership on organizational effectiveness is that the leaders of such organizations cannot be trusted. Jesus said in that Matthew 23:3 that: “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” That means that cosmetic leaders lack integrity and if the leader of an organization cannot be trusted on the basis of lack of integrity, what it means is that the organization’s collaborative effort with other organizations of similar assignment would be greatly hampered. It means no one would trust or love to do business with that organization with a cosmetic leadership thereby hindering the growth and effectiveness of such organization.
#2. Another weakness of cosmetic leadership pattern is its lack of depth. Anything that is cosmetic is usually applied on the surface. And because it lacks depth, the organization also would float at the surface with little or no solid base. Anything can happen at any time that would shake the foundation of such organizations and because there is no depth, great would be its fall. For example, if you apply a cosmetic cream on your body and you unfortunately walk under the rain, what happens to the cream? It would definitely be washed off. That is what happens to organizations with cosmetic leadership pattern. For example, King Saul could not hold his leadership together because he was cosmetic in his pattern of leadership. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 8:10-18
“So, Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king. 11 And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. 12 He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 14 And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. 16 And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 17 He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. 18 And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”
Saul was more concerned about his own ego rather than the nation he was leading. And because of a little test that he failed, his leadership crumbled like a park of cards. When organizational leadership is cosmetic in nature, anything can result to the downfall of such organizations.
#3. The third weakness of cosmetic leadership pattern is that it fades away with time. Once cosmetic leaders vacate the position of leadership, their memories are soon forgotten and there is nothing that could be traced back to them. No achievements, no track records; their memories and leadership style leaves with them. Even the organizations that they lead goes down the drain with their memories.
So, that tells us something that there is nothing to be desirable in cosmetic leadership pattern. The only leadership pattern that is durable, enduring, effective and that produces maximum results and effects is the one that is founded on the principles of leadership that Christ modeled for us. Jesus’ leadership pattern is transgenerational and it has been proven to be effective over the years, the centuries and even millenniums. Build your leadership pattern around Jesus’ leadership and see yourself leading effectively and take your organization to that greater height that you have always wanted.
Thank you for listening to today’s podcast, and I believe you have learnt something. Pleased don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends on your social media platforms and share your comments with me in the comment section. Till next time on Leaderview, stay effective in your leadership and follow the right pattern of leadership at all times.
[Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
