13. Leadership, Management, and the Common Good

The one essential property of a true profession is that, when practiced properly, it promotes the common good. Other attributes of occupations that have traditionally been regarded as professions are accidental properties. Because it possesses the one essential property, the occupation of leadership and management is a true profession theoretically. It is not generally taught and practiced as a true profession, however, because it is not generally understood to be a true profession. It is imperative that we understand, teach, and practice leadership and management as a true profession, so that leaders and managers can actualize their full potential to promote the common good. This is especially true at a time when some of the traditional professions are increasingly considered to be branches of business.