Leadership is an action, not a position.
– Donald McGannon
Leadership as a concept has always intrigued me. It has been one of the traits that I have forever chased. To understand, to imbibe, to impart. Therefore, no points for guessing that I have taken up mantles of Monitor, House Captain, Vice Head Girl through my schooling days, being attracted to them for a reason then unknown but a passion now found. It’s just that I believed leaders were those who were the best of the best. You only got to pin on that badge if you were Thor-like worthy. And I wanted to better myself in anyway possible to make myself worthy. So, I would wear primly starched uniforms, do my goody-two-shoes plaits, bring in respectable grades, and simply be on my behavior at all times.
Of course, I have grown up now and know that no amount of scrubbing my shoes, or soul, will make me Mjolnir wielding-worthy in the face of my appalling fitness. I would probably lose a finger just wrapping my hand around it. More importantly, looking back, I am surprised at the way we are taught about leadership through these badges of council. For one, I understood that they are mostly chosen on the basis of merit – yes, merit of marks and discipline, but not behavior. Two, the lure of the title is also in the kind of visibility they get. All school functions start with the Head Girl coyly lighting the lamp with the guest of honor, and they end with the Head Boy giving the vote of thanks in his haughty voice. They are to be idolized and relied on to keep everyone else in line. Nowhere are you taught to look after your team, care for your fellow batchmates, to share responsibilities. Any kind of collaboration depends on the cemented hierarchy. No wonder then that we bring in that perspective to our corporate world as well. We believe that bosses should have big voices and managers should be picked based solely on sales numbers. The one who follows the laws of the company to the T is the winner. There is no other human physics involved.
Despite that, or maybe because of it, I still love to know more about leadership and its ways. Not because I crave for power, but I love being able to make some impact, some change. To be able to say that I made a difference in some small way. So here are some lessons I have picked up along the way from others and some that have been born out of the causalities of my own experience.
- Be in the service of those who serve you
All leadership is is servant leadership, you are serving either your employees, your customers, or your stakeholders. They are in your service, but you serve in their interest. - You can lead with both, tenacity and tenderness
A leader should be fearless but not fearful. They must be able to close deals and win trusts - Delegate diligently
The aim of a CEO/Team Lead/Head should be that their organization must be able to run sufficiently in their absence as well. A leader only brings a better perspective to the table. - Be humble
Humility is such an underrated quality in leaders, most of whom think that they are all superman (I would have said ‘superperson’, but let’s face the gender ratio stats here). It’s about taking on the challenges but forfeiting the compliments. - Pay attention
The very few roles that I have had the opportunity to undertake, have shown me that most of what it takes to be a good leader is to pay attention. Pay attention to what your people are telling you or not telling you. - Give your passion but understand their perspective
Too often people in command get swayed by their vision and forget to address on-ground realities. It’s great to motivate people, but understand what mountains you are asking them to move for you. - Create conditions under which people can flourish
Make people feel magical and meaningful, not miserable. You work towards how you can better your people, not just profits. - Leave a legacy, not a business
While the short-term focus of a leader maybe growth, the long-term focus should be stability. Always keep a lookout for who can do better than you in what you do. - Mindful Detachment
A leader should be equally willing to rise to the occasion as they must be to hand over the mantle. It’s the quality and not the title which identifies you as a leader. - Integrity
The single most important quality that is necessary for any leader is their discretion. To be able to make a judgement between right and wrong. Without it, you can be a good commander, but not a great leader.
And for the eleventh lesson, above all these, I remember what my college professor had told me after I went to her dejected at losing out on a chance to be the head of the student council. “True leadership doesn’t come from ranks; it comes from responsibility. And anyone can take responsibility for what they want to change.” All leaders do is bring change. But to do so, you don’t have to wait to be elected or get promoted. Anyone can be in a position of power, but not many can be a leader. And that is what makes all the difference.
