Attributes of Leadership
Leadership is not about title, command and control and hierarchy
Leadership is not about title, command and control and hierarchy
Pursuit of leadership, like spiritualism, is very much in demand these days. A large number of self-styled training gurus, life coaches are waxing eloquent about the attributes of leadership and, in a subtle way, soft-selling as to how the same can be imbibed. Leadership is often portrayed as a Holy Grail that will endow its holder with almost super-normal, if not supernatural powers, over its followers. It is also projected as a quality which is amplifies or magnifies one’s normal powers exponentially.
However, most of these do not highlight the risks associated with the exercise of leadership and the other skills required and the fact leadership is a fuzzy quality where the connecting lines are often dotted and lines of control more about moral force and influence, rather than of command and obedience.
It’s Risky: First things first. Leadership is inherently a risky vocation. If you succumb to the temptation of hedging your risks one hundred percent, you will never be a true leader. The rewards of a successful leadership bid are huge, while any loss would normally mean that you are eliminated from the game for good, although the pages of history are replete with many stunning comebacks.
Requires Initiative: Leadership is about initiative and a voluntary bid. It is very rare in the scheme of things that leadership is “thrust upon you”. In any case, the odds don’t seem very bright, otherwise every Tom, Dick or Harry would have been throwing their hat in the ring. It’s about the voluntary initiative that propels you into a leadership role, at the appropriate juncture.
It’s about Intuition: Leadership has more to do with intuition than with rational logic. Where an ordinary member of the team sees nothing but risks and pitfalls, a potential leader perceives opportunity and he moves swiftly to grab it without falling into the trap of too much deliberation or consultation, or paralysis with over-analysis.
Requires Sacrifice: Leadership is about sacrifice — sacrifice of one’s personal comforts, priorities and even one’s own wealth and resources. It’s not about the war booty that would be presented to you after your eventual victory. Leadership is, not doubt, about power but the purpose is more important than power per se. What is the power of leadership being used for by you?
Leader must be fearless: Since, leadership is a risky business, the leader ought to be fearless. Yes, fearless and not reckless. Only a fearless leader is able to inspire confidence in his followers and galvanise them towards the ultimate goal. It is not only leadership but “nidarr_ship” (निडर_ship). While some sacrifice may also be called upon by the followers, a good leader will never make his followers feel like sacrificial lambs or worthless pawns.
Relies on faith and trust: A leader relies on faith, more than on hope. Hope dabbles in rational probabilities, whereas faith is something far more deep and intuitive. Faith is deep-rotted in the leader as well in his followers but, more importantly, it’s about faith in the mission. Then there is, of course, the element of trust — mutual trust betwixt the leader and his followers.
Communication is the key: Communication is very important part of leadership. There should be no distortion whatsoever between what the leader is saying and what the followers are interpreting. There needs to be clarity and no equivocation or vagueness in the message of the leader. The spoken word is far more important since it conveys far more than a written word, especially when the followers see and hear it live.
Challenges the reigning paradigm: Leadership decisions are generally against the tide — they challenge the reigning orthodoxy or the prevalent paradigm. That’s why the business of leadership is inherently risky. But a leader is also out to challenge and change the status quo. Thus, a good leader always appears to be going against the flow — and winning.
Leader with Titles: Leadership does not follow the formal titles, labels or tags. It’s not about formal directional superintendence and control. It’s about expanding your sphere of influence and getting others to follow your voice and appeal, even when they might not be organisationally or legally bound to do so. It’s about persuasion and charisma, not about direction and control.
Not all leaders are born: Not everyone is a born leader. In fact, most the most successful leaders in the history of mankind were shy and recessive, if not meek and timid, in their younger years. Once, you have faith in your abilities, your followers and, above all, in your mission. There is not reason why you can be a successful leader.
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K.B.S. Sidhu. The author is an IAS officer of 1984 batch of Punjab cadre. The views expressed are his own.
He can be reached on kbs.sidhu@gmail.com or @kbssidhu1961 or https://www.facebook.com/kbs.sidhu