1. © Hoy, 2006 Dilemmas of Leadership Keys to Effectiveness

2. © Hoy, 2006 What is a Dilemma? A dilemma is a struggle between “ profound truths. ” The great physicist, Niels Bohr, defined profound truths as recognizable by the fact that their opposites are also profound truths; hence, both are desirable goals. But to achieve one necessarily undermines the other. The struggle has no permanent solution, but rather a balancing and an accommodation of both goals.

3. © Hoy, 2006 Leadership is a struggle to balance seven basic dilemmas of social organization and functioning. What are these seven fundamental dilemmas that require constant attention, adjustment, and accommodation?

4. © Hoy, 2006 Control versus Autonomy Dilemma I: Control versus Autonomy Leaders guide the actions of a group; like it or not--they control. Leaders delegate responsibility and authority to others; they nurture autonomy. Challenge: What is the appropriate balance between guiding actions and nurturing autonomy?

5. © Hoy, 2006 Consistency vrs. Ambiguity Dilemma 2: Consistency versus Ambiguity Leaders seek consistency and coherence to eliminate contradictions and conflicts that impede effectiveness. Leaders welcome some ambiguity because it promotes innovation and adaptation. Challenge: What is the appropriate balance between coherence and ambiguity? That is, how can you promote innovation and maintain stability and coherence?

6. © Hoy, 2006 Unity versus Diversity Dilemma 3: Unity versus Diversity Leaders seek harmony and purpose as they seek to minimize problems and limit destructive conflict. Leaders cultivate diversity because it is a source of ideas, understanding, and innovation. Challenge: How do you seek harmony and cultivate diversity simultaneously?

7. © Hoy, 2006 Planning vrs. Spontaneity Dilemma 4: Planning versus Spontaneity Leaders seek organization and planning to deal efficiently with routine problems. Leaders encourage spontaneity to deal with unique problems. Challenge: What is the right balance between planning and spontaneity? That is, how can you structure for innovation and creativity?

8. © Hoy, 2006 Coordination vrs.Communication Dilemma 5: Coordination versus Communication Leaders need coordination for efficient goal accomplishment. Leaders need open communication both to create innovation as well to monitor efficiency. Challenge: How do you limit the complications of open communication while simultaneously maintaining efficient coordination?

9. © Hoy, 2006 Specialization vrs. Integration Dilemma 6: Specialization versus Integration Leaders seek specialization to develop the expertise to solve organizational problems. Leaders promote integration for efficient functioning of the organization as a whole. Challenge: Find the appropriate balance between specialization of tasks and the integration of the whole.

10. © Hoy, 2006 Stability versus Change Dilemma 7: Stability versus Change Leaders seek stability to move the organization toward the achievement of instrumental goals. Leaders seek change to improve organizational functioning and to innovate. Challenge: How much stability and how much change? That is a leadership question.

11. © Hoy, 2006 Faces of Order Consistency Control Unity Planning Coordination Integration Stability These faces of order create a world of rules, plans, purpose, and coordinated action.

12. © Hoy, 2006 Faces of Freedom Ambiguity Autonomy Diversity Spontaneity Communication Specialization Change These faces of freedom create a world of imagination, innovation, creativity, vision, dreams, and hope.

13. © Hoy, 2006 Order versus Freedom All seven of these leadership dilemmas are instances of the general and fundamental social dilemma of order versus freedom. Both order and freedom are necessary for effective social functioning, but emphasis of one undermines the other. THUS-- Dynamic equilibrium, continuous adjustment, and accommodation are essential for effective leadership.