Leading with a Pulse (Not a Zombie Shuffle)
What are the dead ideas about leadership that still walk amongst us?
I’m currently reading Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion, a quirky and fun book I picked up at a local bookswap—aka a cute wooden book cabinet outside someone's house. The story follows an unlikely romantic lead, a zombie named R, who chooses to save a girl instead of eating her, whilst rewriting the meaning of what it means to be a zombie.
I found it a little funny when, just last week, I came across an article from Leadership Quarterly titled "Zombie Leadership: Dead Ideas That Still Walk Among Us". While it doesn’t feature a grey-skinned, monosyllabic character called R who once loved fresh brains, the article made me think a lot about leadership.
The authors describe zombie leadership as outdated concepts that are very prevalent today. What are these "dead ideas that still walk amongst us"?:
Only designated leaders can lead; they are the solitary superheroes who singlehandedly drive success.
Leaders possess exceptional qualities that set them apart from ordinary people, with traits and instincts that appear natural.
Group success is solely attributed to leaders, who drag everyone along with them.
History is ultimately the story of great leaders.
As I dived deeper into the article and reflected on the costs of these so-called dead ideas, I realised how much they resonated with my own experience. Having worked at a university and later moved into a national governing body structure, I’d only ever experienced hierarchical leadership. There were limited opportunities for progression in the traditional sense, and I’d nurtured an assumption that leadership was a privilege reserved only for those in formal positions of ‘power’. I remember feeling stuck, and my spark was dimming. Leadership seemed like an elite thing that you aspired to do when you got the promotion, and the permission. It was a special set of skills and abilities that you could only unlock by climbing the ladder, taking on more responsibilities, and attending more courses.
The turning point for me came five years ago when I got a place on The R&A Leadership Development Programme. That experience gave me the space to step back and redefine what leadership could mean for me—regardless of my job title and position. I came to understand that while effective leaders do possess certain qualities, the real magic lies in how they adapt to situations and get the best out of the people they lead and work alongside.
Fast forward to present day, I was honoured to receive the Leadership Award at the 2024 Women in Golf Awards. I received that despite being in the same role for 12 years straight with no possible promotion, but I no longer boxed myself in. I led the England Golf programme to be one of the leading female programmes in Europe, supported the development of Britain’s first world number one amateur, and fostered a culture of success and learning with a group of brilliant people. Alongside this, I continually developed my skillsets and capabilities, volunteered in leadership positions and worked towards what I am doing today.
The authors define leadership as “the process whereby one or more people motivate one or more other people to contribute to the achievement of collective goals by shaping beliefs, values, and understandings in context.” Leadership isn’t a solo endeavour. It’s rooted in relationships, connections, and the dynamic between leaders and the people they influence.
Here are my key takeaways:
Don’t confine yourself with outdated ideas that can suck the life (or brains) from you.
Leadership is available to anyone. You don’t need a fancy title or visibility to inspire and energise others, rally a collective effort, flex your drive and determination, and deliver something you feel passionate about.
Leadership is a process that everyone can (and must) contribute to. When leadership becomes solely about the leader, the contributions and achievements of the team can get overlooked, and we all know the long-term impact that can have.
Success stems from creating a climate of psychological safety, where everyone feels empowered to contribute, is motivated by a shared purpose, and is eager to join the journey with you.
As I continue to reflect on and learn about leadership, I’m reminded that it is about action, connection, and the ability to inspire others—whether or not you're at the top of the ladder. The best leaders aren’t defined by their title; they’re defined by the impact they have on those around them.
We all have the potential to lead, no matter where we are or what position we hold. So, let’s leave behind the "zombie" leadership ideas. I want to be a part of building a future where leadership is accessible to everyone, in every role.
Drop a comment if this had meaning for you. Or if you’ve got my next book recommendation…