The Uncomfortable Reality of Pragmatic Leadership
Stop looking for angels and start looking for angles
As a leader, I often find myself under scrutiny from team members when my decisions seem to deviate from the principles I advocate. For instance, I champion transparency but sometimes can’t be fully transparent. I emphasize controlling expenses yet invest in new initiatives unexpectedly.
This cognitive dissonance frustrates many, who see it as inconsistent at best and disingenuous at worst. The reality, however, is that leadership requires navigating complex, often contradictory demands to achieve a greater good. Reading Ryan Holiday’s new book Right Thing, Right Now and his discussion on pragmatism inspired me to reflect on my own experiences and the tough decisions leaders must make.
The Illusion of Ideological Purity
Immanuel Kant famously argued that one should never lie, even if a murderer asks for the whereabouts of your children. This rigid adherence to absolute principles is laudable in theory but impractical in the real world. Leaders cannot afford to cling to ideological purity; instead, they must be pragmatic, realistic, and adaptable, especially in pursuit of a higher goal. How do you square these two truths? Ultimately, it comes down to principles and values. Leaders need a North Star or code they live by that keeps them oriented toward what is right and the flexibility to compromise when necessary.
The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Holiday is a master of using stories from history to illustrate his philosophical points. In his latest book, he shared the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian who faced a moral dilemma during World War II. Initially a pacifist, Bonhoeffer joined the resistance against Hitler, even participating in a plot to assassinate the dictator. This drastic shift in his stance was driven by a recognition that sometimes, achieving a greater good requires compromising one’s principles. Bonhoeffer’s actions underscore the difficult choices leaders must make when faced with complex, real-world challenges.
A poignant example involves one of Bonhoeffer’s collaborators who refused to give the Nazi salute. Bonhoeffer, despite a deep and abiding hatred of Nazism, reprimanded his colleague, saying, “Raise your arm! We’ll have to run risks for many things, but this silly salute is not one of them.”
I love this story, because it illustrates in full relief the harsh fact that rigid adherence to symbolic gestures is pointless when compared to the value of pragmatism in the pursuit of higher goals.
Non Angeli Sed Angli: Seeking Practical Solutions
The Latin phrase “Non angeli sed angli,” translates to “not angels but angles,” and it encapsulates the essence of pragmatic leadership. Leaders should not seek perfection and performative gestures but rather practical solutions. This mindset is crucial in making decisions that balance idealism with realism, aiming for the best possible outcome rather than an unattainable ideal.
The North Star of Leadership
Leaders must navigate a complex landscape, balancing ideals with practical realities. This often involves compromise, pivoting, and adjusting strategies in the pursuit of a greater good. Having a clear North Star—core principles that guide decisions—enables leaders to make tough choices while staying true to their overarching goals. In a world that demands both flexibility and steadfastness, the ability to maneuver through contradictions is what separates true leaders from those who cloak their inaction in the shroud of ideological purity.
I try to teach my students and team members alike that effective leadership is not about unwavering adherence to ideological purity but about making pragmatic decisions for the greater good. By embracing compromise and adjusting to unavoidable realities, leaders can navigate the complex landscape of their responsibilities, ultimately steering their organizations towards success.