LET US REFLECT ON WHAT A LEADER DOES
He plans, analyses, steers and manages the operation of his people.
He harnesses the potential of people who work with him and for him to achieve excellence in tasks and values
He contributes to the development of the people who work for him
He shapes and transforms people to live their full lives.
And much more perhaps!
Through this column, over a period of time, I wish to pause and reflect and examine what is the true meaning of leadership.
If we start with the basic hypothesis that a leader is one who:
Has been given the greatest opportunity to be responsible for the destiny of his people.
Has been given the mandate to guide them towards curtain level of excellence.
Has been trusted of his competence courage and compassion and conviction that he is worthy of being a leader.
One thing that emerges very distinctly and clearly is that, a leader decides actions on the basic of the impact of the actions on the basis of his people and not on himself.
A leader defines reality as what is ultimately beneficial for the activity of the corporation,
A leader looks at himself as a servant, as a tool, towards contribution to his own people and for which he is ever grateful
A leader measures his success based on the success of his people.
A leader sets standards without feeling the sense of achievement for himself.
Could we call it “SELFLESSNESS”? Is it a worthwhile proposition for a leader to look at this as a fundamental philosophy? Does it mean there is no scope for ruthlessness, for his own ambitions? Perhaps this is a difficult question to answer but it is very likely that a true leader does not even consider this as selflessness but looks at it as his way of life and unless somebody reminds him, he perhaps will never even realise it. He even ignores the question and marches forward in his chosen path!
Until Next time … (He’s and She’s – Interchangeably used, no gender bias!)
Leadership is the ability to get men to do what they don’t want to do and like it
– Harry S Truman –
