Some say 1+1 = 11 is leadership. No! This is synergy.
1 + 0000 = 10,000
It is a unique combination of a single individual and multiple followers who, by virtue of strong faith in the leader, can achieve the impossible. But what is so special about a leader? Leadership quality is often discussed in management schools as a dynamic mix of emotional intelligence, strategic vision and adaptability, but the essence of true leadership is camaraderie, a powerful magnet that attracts one and all and can create a cohesive movement/environment for the fulfilment of a goal which benefits everyone.
The essence of true leadership not only fosters through communication skills, empathy and clarity of goals. It is not about wishful thinking but righteous wisdom and a universal appeal.
Some individuals are born leaders, some are created by circumstances and few are curated. From the above three, created ones are most relevant for the discussion. Just like a gardener nurtures a plant, in the same way parents, teachers and life coaches are entrusted with the responsibility of creating leaders.
Growth is the most evident sign of life. In a growing organisation, we continuously add verticals and horizontals. Human behaviour is not mechanical but dynamic in nature, and to deal with human beings in an ever-expanding environment, management at every level needs to identify and nurture leadership qualities to remain motivated and willingly move into synchronised behaviour, aligning with the goals of the organisation and individual growth as well.
It is not everybody’s cup of tea. Every human being is a distinct individual with unique aptitude, aspiration and a fire inside. The one who chooses the path of leadership seldom knows that it is an uncharted territory; there are no defined rules or methods. It entails immense hard work, deep understanding, empathy, perseverance and confidence.
It looks like a fancy and glorified word, but it is not for the faint-hearted. It is a great responsibility and few are destined to carry this burden.
One word which is most relevant to leaders is purpose.
A purpose is nothing without a leader; a leader is nothing without a purpose. Mahatma Gandhi ji was a barrister from London. One night, he was thrown out of a train despite being an Indian. He was travelling in first class. At that very moment, he found the purpose of his life — to get India its independence.
The purpose that resonated in the hearts of millions of Indians and the entire country stood behind him. So, the stature of every leader is the shadow of the stature of his purpose. Nobler the purpose, nobler the stature; nobler the stature, nobler the leader.
In a nutshell,
Leadership is neither a title nor a destination; it is a continuous journey of service, learning and influence. When purpose meets character, leaders emerge naturally and leave an enduring impact on society.
