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Prophets vs Clergy
Leadership / Dualities
Two types of leaders that organisations need at different stages.
Prophets
- Visionaries who see what could be.
- Challenge the status quo.
- Inspire and disrupt.
- Best at: starting things, changing direction, breaking through stagnation.
Clergy
- Operators who maintain and improve what exists.
- Build stability and consistency.
- Sustain and scale.
- Best at: growing things, maintaining quality, building culture.
The Cycle
- A prophet starts something new with a bold vision.
- The organisation grows and needs stability.
- Clergy step in to scale and sustain.
- Over time, the system becomes rigid.
- A prophet is needed again to break through.
The Conflict
Prophets and clergy often clash. Prophets see clergy as bureaucrats. Clergy see prophets as reckless. Both are right, partially.
For Leaders
Know which one you are. Surround yourself with the other type. Great organisations need both.
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