Right from the often-dirty grounds of national politics to the closed conference rooms of private companies, "leadership", "leader" are a couple of terms that I found getting abused pretty frequently and obscenely. The most common misconception of this term comes when the speaker should actually be using the word "manager" or "boss" instead of these terms.
Leadership is an innate quality. Leaders are born. Its not an acquired trait. I have seen some folks who even though possessing this quality couldnt express it (society is to be blamed here) out of integrity or other good qualities holding them from doing so. A leader should be inspiring, championing passionately without conflict of interest or at least, not giving into self-interest when it comes in the way. (S)he should be magnanimous, leading by example and not just by preaching alone. Should be able to get to the level of their team and be one of them. Should be able to stand up to their team members and shield them when all they have done is follow his/her orders. In short, a team member in the presence of a leader feels energetic, enthusiastic and eager to achieve or do stuffs - everyone feels the synergy and optimism.
Leaders are not produced by B-schools. B-schools produce managers - really smart people, I admit, who can work their way through corporate culture and make lot of money. Management skill is an acquired trait. I have seen uninspiring people become good managers by observing or even mimicing what fellow managers do. Getting the job done and producing results more often takes precedence over inspiration, integrity, synergy and conscience. One can even get the title of a "great manager" by pitting one's sub-ordiates against each other and getting things done from both sides by maintaining the pressure. In the presence of a "pure" manager, a team player often feels conscious, defensive and sometimes even stressed out. The essence of words like "synergy" and "team spirit" often heard in such groups stops with lips and ears and doesnt get through to the heart and soul.
No complaints from my side - I have been in teams under good leadership (touchwood!!). While its great and gratifying to have a leader, its often difficult being a leader. Uneasy lies the head...you know that.
Leadership is an innate quality. Leaders are born. Its not an acquired trait. I have seen some folks who even though possessing this quality couldnt express it (society is to be blamed here) out of integrity or other good qualities holding them from doing so. A leader should be inspiring, championing passionately without conflict of interest or at least, not giving into self-interest when it comes in the way. (S)he should be magnanimous, leading by example and not just by preaching alone. Should be able to get to the level of their team and be one of them. Should be able to stand up to their team members and shield them when all they have done is follow his/her orders. In short, a team member in the presence of a leader feels energetic, enthusiastic and eager to achieve or do stuffs - everyone feels the synergy and optimism.
Leaders are not produced by B-schools. B-schools produce managers - really smart people, I admit, who can work their way through corporate culture and make lot of money. Management skill is an acquired trait. I have seen uninspiring people become good managers by observing or even mimicing what fellow managers do. Getting the job done and producing results more often takes precedence over inspiration, integrity, synergy and conscience. One can even get the title of a "great manager" by pitting one's sub-ordiates against each other and getting things done from both sides by maintaining the pressure. In the presence of a "pure" manager, a team player often feels conscious, defensive and sometimes even stressed out. The essence of words like "synergy" and "team spirit" often heard in such groups stops with lips and ears and doesnt get through to the heart and soul.
No complaints from my side - I have been in teams under good leadership (touchwood!!). While its great and gratifying to have a leader, its often difficult being a leader. Uneasy lies the head...you know that.
Pic take with my son's toys - intended to show a leader and couple of followers. The one noticeable thing is the vignetting around the edges when taken at 200mm.
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