Positive Assumptions About People
"You make a clear distinction between a leader's attitude and feelings about
people and his or her behavior toward them," said the entrepreneur. "We were
always taught that when managers use a directive leadership style, they
probably think their subordinates are lazy, unreliable, and irresponsible, and
therefore need close supervision. But if managers use a participative leadership
style, they believe their people are responsible and self-motivated. What I've
learned from you is th at positive assumptions about people are a given; you
believe people have the potential to become high performers. What fluctuates is
the manager's behavior, depending on subordinates' needs for direction and
support.