The Wizard and the Warrior: Leading with Passion and Power

About the Authors

Lee G. Bolman holds the Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership at the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Bolman is an accomplished author and educator who has made significant contributions to the field of leadership and organizational studies. His insights are renowned for their practical applicability and deep theoretical foundations.

Terrence E. Deal retired as the Irving R. Melbo Clinical Professor of the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education. Deal is a respected figure in organizational leadership, with a focus on educational administration and the symbolic aspects of leadership. Together, Bolman and Deal have co-authored several influential books that have reshaped how leaders understand and navigate their roles.

Main Idea

In "The Wizard and the Warrior: Leading with Passion and Power," Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal present a compelling framework for leadership that transcends conventional management wisdom. They argue that effective leadership requires more than just managing work and serving people; it demands embracing the roles of both wizard and warrior. This duality involves leveraging imagination, creativity, and symbolism (wizard) while also harnessing strength, courage, and the willingness to fight for one's mission (warrior). The book emphasizes that great leaders must navigate political and symbolic realms, often where traditional managerial skills fall short. Through engaging case studies and insightful commentary, Bolman and Deal illuminate how leaders can harness these dual roles to inspire and mobilize their teams, fostering environments where power and passion thrive.

Table of Contents

• Confronting the Wizard and Warrior Within
• Warrior Roles: Toxic, Relentless, and Principled
• The Warrior Path
• Wizard Roles: Authentic, Wannabe, and Harmful
• Wizards at Work
• The Leader’s Journey: Fusing Warrior and Wizard

Confronting the Wizard and Warrior Within

Bolman and Deal begin by addressing the inner conflict that many leaders face. They argue that managers often operate on two cylinders—structure and people—when they need four. The two additional cylinders, political and symbolic, are critical for navigating the complexities of modern organizations. Ignoring these aspects is a "debilitating Achilles' heel" for many leaders.

Most managers shy away from politics because they perceive its dynamics as sordid or fear losing control. However, effective leadership requires engaging with these political dynamics head-on. Similarly, many leaders overlook the symbolic dimensions of their role, dismissing culture as "fuzzy and flaky." Yet, symbols are powerful drivers of organizational behavior and morale.

"Great leadership doesn't happen without addressing these political and cultural issues head-on. Leaders cannot afford to stay on the sidelines and play it safe." - Bolman and Deal

Bolman and Deal use metaphors of wizards and warriors to help leaders think on their feet in challenging situations. Wizards and warriors represent roles that leaders can choose to play and learn to play better. Understanding when to fight (warrior) and when to invoke key symbols (wizard) is essential for effective leadership.

Warrior Roles: Toxic, Relentless, and Principled

In exploring the warrior aspect of leadership, Bolman and Deal identify three distinct roles that warriors may play: toxic, relentless, and principled. Each role represents a different approach to wielding power and achieving goals.