Response to Shirley's Fast Co. article Grassroots Leadership By Polly LaBarre April 1999 p. 115-126

By Vince Crary March 2000

Shirley, I found your article review about Commander D. Michael Abrashoff's approach to leadership informative. In doing research for my paper on orientation, the literature points out how important it is to employees to feel they are valued, feel their work is important, and work in an environment conducive to constructive work. You point out how, unfortunately, many so-called "leaders" are afraid of change and prefer to stick with old policies. You also quote: " It can't be done because this is the way it's always been done." I found this to be true with orientation programs as well. I question though if it is the fact that leaders are afraid of change or continue wanting to do things as they have always been done. I feel egos, priorities, and a lack of training are also big problems.

In looking at Commander Abrashoff's six principles to his grassroots leadership style, I'd say he is using a tranformative learning approach. I figure that is why he has experienced such success.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2000