Leadership by e-Mail ? Posted this comment against this article, and again against Lilia’s blog on the same subject. No problem with the concept that “real” networks of communication tell you far more about the way an organisation actually functions than any organisation charts, roles or procedures. This is well established fact in organisations that exist with multi-project matrices, rather than single production focussed lines. HOWEVER …. The dodgy premise here is that e-mail is representative of the real communications network. Good communicators (inc real leaders and managers) tend to maximise individual telecons or face to face contact. E-Mail traffic is skewed based on people’s between-the-lines motives for using e-mail. Self-aggrandisement, lack of courage and arse-covering are three to think about.