I enjoy microwave instant noodle and particularly like the fact that it is ready about 2-3 minutes from when I decided I wanted one. I am also amazed at how technology has changed and become faster and faster over the years. But my favourite is that when I decide I want to speak on the phone with someone, I can connect with him or her in less than 10 seconds from the moment I made the decision.
The experience above is not uncommon; the problem is that we have attributed this to a very important subject like leadership. We live in an age that seeks quick fixes and easy answers and as such we tend to accept many things at face value. As I advance in age and experience, here are some leadership truth I discovered and wish you are set free also.
1. Some people are born leaders – while this is true to an extent, yet it is important you learn the art of leadership before you can successfully lead people. For example, being born in a church does not automatically make you a Christian, nor having a melodious voice does not make you a great singer – you must learn the art of singing and commit to practice. Every successful leader enrolled in the school of continuous learning and growth, irrespective of whether they are born or made.
2. Leaders are expert – I believe leaders become expert with time and experience. Not all leaders are expert and all experts are not leaders. Experts often possess more data than judgement. Real leaders make themselves accessible and available, they create an environment where everyone on the payroll visibly produces and contributes to bottom-line results. Good leadership is not about being an expert, but one that encourages everyone’s evolution.
3. Leadership requires title –Remember the usual expression, “it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Well, its true. If you ever wait for official blessing before you step into leadership, you might never live to realise your ability to influence. Titles mean little in terms of real power, which is the capacity to influence and inspire. In well-run organisations, organisational charts are meaningless, though they might acknowledge some authority. Businesses that follow organisation charts don’t last a long time.
4. Leadership is complex – I have studied many great leaders, for example, John C. Maxwell, Marshall Goldsmith and many more. One trait I found in them is that they are great simplifiers. Their ideas are easy to adopt, they articulate clearly and crisp. Their speech is not cluttered and buzzword – laden. They understand the KISS principle, Keep It Simple, Stupid. Great leaders always look for how to simplify complex situations for the good of others.
5. Leaders are ambitious – I have come to terms to accept the fact that there is nothing wrong with being ambitious. I am not talking about people, who are unapologetic of their behaviour, leaders who will not honour their core values and will do anything to attain their selfish desires. I am talking about people with a gung-ho attitude that says, “We can change things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best.” You can train a bright, willing novice in the basics of your business fairly easily, but it’s harder to train someone to have energy, and drive to get things done.
As a society, we have developed a common thinking and mind-set of how we view things, and if the results are not as we have established in our minds, then we tend to get frustrated, and maybe quit working towards a successful outcome.
Do you have a desire to lead? Or want to be a great leader? I suggest the first place to start is getting past common thinking and misconceptions, and don’t be afraid even if you are the odd one.
Are there other leadership traps you can add to the list? Would love to hear from you.
#WithLoveFromAji
Photo credit
James O’Neill
