Leadership Choices

How do you define Leadership?

Personally, one of my favourite quotes about leadership is by John Quincy Adams, the Sixth President of the United States of America. He said that, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." A leader is someone who has a vision or a dream that is beyond himself as a person. Just like what Jim Collins called the Level 5 Leadership. Collins explained that a Level 5 Leader must create superb results, a clear catalyst in the transition from good to great. At the same time, demonstrates a compelling modesty, shunning public adulation; never boastful. She must demonstrate an unwavering resolve to do whatever must be done to produce the best long-term results, no matter how difficult and acts with quiet, calm determination; relies principally on inspired standards, not inspiring charisma, to motivate. Additionally, the Level 5 Leader is someone who sets the standard of building an enduring great company; will settle for nothing less. Often, you will find her channeling ambition into the company, not the self; sets up successors for even greater success in the next generation. Collins also describes that she looks in the mirror, not out the window, to apportion responsibility for poor results, never blaming other people, external factors, or bad luck but looks out the window, not in the mirror, to apportion credit for the success of the company—to other people, external factors, and good luck.

Another interesting question that somewhat creates a dichotomy amongst scholars and novices alike is, “Are leaders made or born?” I believe that in each and every one of us we have the ability to become a leader. It may not be leadership in the corporate setting. However, leadership can take on various forms and at numerous levels. For instance, a stay-home mom is a leader where she makes the choice of what is best for her offspring. Take for instance when crisis rears its ugly head, that is when ordinary folks like you and I take on the personal responsibility to lead in such situations. September 11 was a clear example where the average firefighter chooses to lead in such trying moments for the better sake of humanity. In a somewhat less dramatic context, we lead our friends to the best place for food, drinks, or party. At a more humble level, we sometimes take the lead to undertake the necessary activities at home. Its subconscious and generally the reward were never on our mind. More often, it is a matter of rectitude that leads us to make a particular choice.

Of course many of us struggle each day to choose what we think we can and cannot do for others. One commonality amongst us is the need to feel that we have in some ways; significance or otherwise, made a positive contribution to the environment in which we live. No one will confess to a live of insignificance. Even our stay-home mom wants to be able to contribute in some ways to her offspring. There are also some of us who have been through so much pain and misery. At times some of us feel that our suffering is “rental” for our occupancy of the planet. What we need to constantly remind ourselves is to embrace all these pain, misery, and suffering; to acknowledge their existence and even appreciate it. It is this very pain, misery, and suffering that can alter our experiences in life and also help shape us and our destiny. Those in position of leadership or influence will also know that our choice of what to make out of these experiences, unpleasant as it may seems, that will enable us to redefine the quality of our life. At times, what you need is focus and belief. And the very fact that despite all these unpleasant experiences around you, you are able to maintain your focus and hold firm your unshakable beliefs that will allow you to grow stronger. What’s more interesting is, sometimes we fail to see that our leaders are not men and women of high office or of highly admirable acts of heroism. Sometimes the very leaders that we do not take notice are the ones that are right in front of us. Our spouses, our kids, our parents, our friends, our co-workers, and even our pets!

Often times, people have the misconception that to be a leader, you need to do great things. No doubt, great things must be done, but the definition of great is a matter of perspectives. Just take a look at the dailies and you will find that there are so many events and situations in the way that we feel sorry about. There are global issues that need to be addressed. There are certain individuals who we feel should be removed from where they are. And you can go on and whip yourself into a nice frenzy just by dwelling on these issues. What they fail to understand is, these are not things that can be changed or addressed at their current capacities, where they are at now. But there’s something that they can do, which is right in front of them. Day-in, day-out. You can go out in your neighbourhood and make a choice. The choice to not litter, the choice to not be angry with someone if they are in your way when you are late, the choice to be kind to the next person you meet tomorrow, the choice to say thank you to the next person who serves you, the choice to give way when someone tries to cut into your lane while driving. These and all are the choices that you can make.

And if you want to make a leadership choice, you can start by making a choice to adopt a different perspective of things, to see things through a different lens, to view it from another angle. Once you make that first choice, it will then impact on those around you, as your choices will allow them to understand that things are not always what they seem, that objects in the rear-view mirror appears may appear closer than they are. To me, this is perhaps one of the most difficult choices you need to make. However, once you choose to make it a part of you, things around you will change because you changed.