The 9C's of leadership paradigm style #4 – Of Cavaliers, Conjurors and Craftsmen

Instead of developing their technical abilities in management and leadership, some “clumsy” leaders develop their leadership advantage in the softer skills and attributes. Many become “Cavalier” Leaders:

The Cavalier

The consummate performer – the true exhibitionist of the game, these players like to shape their shots as much as possible and work the ball towards the target. How the shot, and they, look is important. This is the player who says “watch this“ as they carve a beautiful shot around a tree and over the water onto the green. Others do this occasionally, with luck, but these players thrive on it. They like to wow the crowd and fellow players and are the shot-makers of the game.

The Cavalier leader is the ‘show-off’ of the leadership world – not necessarily egotistically, but because it motivates them. Often, they will stun the audience with acts of derring-do and controversial behaviours. These leaders enjoy the limelight and are more frequently in the press.

• Cavalier golfers include: Lee Trevino, Corey Pravin and Chi Chi Rodriguez
• Cavalier leaders include: Richard Branson, Ken Lay, Bill Gates, Martha Stewart

Some “clumsy” leaders develop how they DO leadership (their technical competencies) and their leadership advantage attributes and the ‘soft’ skills and they become “Conjuror” leaders:

The Conjuror

These golfers find excitement in difficult lies, thoroughly enjoy being tested in the rough, or an impossible shot between the trees. They excel in the bunker, and become easily bored with routine fairway shots. They gather their wits before a troublesome shot and have marvellous imagination which they are very capable of transferring directly into their game. About half of the conjurors like to show-off, whilst the other, quieter half, like to core well.

The conjuror leader triumphs over adversity again and again. Seemingly intent on making their own lives difficult and forever deliberately putting themselves and their teams into new challenges.

• Golf player conjurors include: Seve Balesteros, Tom Watson, Phil Micelson
• Conjuror leaders include: Herb Kelleher, Hank Greenberg, Michael Eisner

The next group of leaders in this middle range of attribute development are the “Craftsmen”. Most often they have first developed to being “Conjurors” and then begin to excel in their leadership actions. 

The Craftsman

The clear headed technical player, deeply aware of their swing. Knowing their game intimately. These golfers, rehearse and practice even during a round – working on particular aspects of their game that needs attention.

This player excels when tinkering with the minutai details of how to play a particular shot. These players prefer a low stress game, hitting the fairway just right, and onto the green all day will suit them just fine. Quiet and concentrate more on scoring than exhibition, these are solid players and maintain a consistent game.

The Craftsman leader similarly likes a smooth-running business where they can constantly and continuously improve aspects of their business in incremental steps. The Craftsman leader invites you to examine their work, highlighting the intricate detail and fine product.

• Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Ben Crane, Charles Howell III
• Gordone Bethune, Andy Grove, Sandy Weill

Leaders (and golfers) who focus their development on the softer skills and leadership attributes to a much greater extent are in our next group.