How to understand this sentence?

[shwm]

What's the meaning of the underlined sentence? Thanks!

So the character of leadership may be approached from two different directions. On the one hand, it is a descriptive term to refer to the characteristics of the role – “what leaders do when they accomplish well what is formally expected of them”. On the other hand, we understand “character” as having a strong ethical resonance. In a school context, it has been described as the conscience, or moral compass, of the community – doing what is right, just and equitable.

 

[teechar]

what leaders do when they accomplish well what is formally expected of them

It means when leaders successfully achieve what is expected of them.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I know the what-clause is the object of 'accomplish', but what does 'what leaders do' refer to here? Does it mean 'what leaders will do when they accomplish...'?

 

[bhaisahab]

Yes, Matthew.

 

[teechar]

I parse it as "what leaders do in order to accomplish ... etc."

 

[Matthew Wai]

"what leaders do in order to accomplish ... etc."

If so, I would think 'when' is wrongly used in the original, but I am not a teacher.

 

[Eckaslike]

Matthew,

It refers to, and is an explanation of, their "role" as leader.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Could it be rewritten as 'what leaders do when they seek to accomplish...'?

 

[Eckaslike]

As written, it seems perfectly acceptable. However, I don't think it quite works in the context of the sentence.

The original means "their role as leaders when they accomplish...." i.e. when they complete what they have promised. It means they show leadership really only when they are successful in carrying out their promises.

"When they seek to accomplish...", means "when they try to accomplish...." i.e. "try to" means that they may not actually accomplish what they have promised.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Does 'what leaders do before they can accomplish...' work in this context?

BTW, I think the OP should have used 'How should I' instead of 'How to' in the thread title, which is a question, but I am not a teacher.

 

[Eckaslike]

Not really Matthew. To me, the "when" is vital in the sentence. It may help to think of it in this sort of usage:

"The dog wagged its tail when it was happy". It didn't wag it before, or after, it had to be during the time, or when, it was happy.

So in the context of the sentence, the writer is saying that leaders only show the characteristic of leadership in their role "when", or at the point in time, they actually succeed in delivering their promises.

Here, when = ""at the time / point at which" they accomplish....". Usage A1: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/when

 

[shwm]

Thanks! But how should I understand "formally" here?

It means when leaders successfully achieve what is expected of them.

 

[teechar]

In that context, "formally" means "officially."