Breaking the age old Myth

Nelson Mandela was the most significant African leader who stood against racism and apartheid in South Africa, while many in the world were silent. He dreamt of a democratic and free society in which people live together in harmony with equal opportunities. The words from his book ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ that describe a leader, hold great importance for today’s work culture seen across organizations throughout the world. He said that a leader . . . is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.

A lot has already been written about commanders in the recent past. Even if you go to your nearest bookstore, you’ll find shelves full of books written by politicians, business people, and athletes on how to be a leader. Is there a secret recipe to make you a leader? I don’t think so. But there are some common traits that all real leaders share.

Also, there’s a common myth attached to the concept of leadership. Many believe that leaders are born, not made. By far it is the most frequently heard or used phrase when asked about who a leader is or what leadership is. 

But I believe that good chiefs’ are made and are not born. Some people may have more natural intelligence or innate speaking skills or are more outgoing and these may be helpful in management. But one can learn commandership skills, not in the old lecture-take-notes model, but through a never ending process of self-study, experience, dialogue, role modeling, feedback, coaching, mentoring, and so on. Also, if one has the desire and willpower, no one can stop him/her from becoming an effective leader. The inimitable leaders always stand tall where ever they are planted and transform the life of the people around them.

To inspire the people around, there are certain things you must be, know, and, do. These do not come naturally, but are acquired through continual work and study.

Successful honchos understand the difference between things and people in an organization. They know that it's important to manage things, but that it's even more important to lead people. For instance, your position as a manager, supervisor, etc. in an organization, gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks and objectives laid. This is known as assigned leadership. But this power does not make you a leader; rather it simply makes you a boss. Leadership is something that makes the followers want to achieve high goals rather than bossing around them, which is referred to as the emergent leadership.

This demonstrates that people – not strategy or products – are the most critical factor in an organization’s performance. Which is why, leaders invest heavily in growing and developing people, while managers see people as objects to be commanded and controlled. Therefore, you get an Assigned Leadership by your position and you display an Emergent Leadership by influencing people to do great things.