I'm deeply curious about the concept of leadership in general and what it truly means to lead. There's something truly inspiring about being led by someone who motivates you to strive for excellence. Based on my personal experience in the corporate world, I believe that a true leader is someone who effectively guides and motivates their team—not through manipulation or coercion, but by inspiring and positively influencing them.
Great leaders serve as role models for their teams, encouraging members to aspire to greater heights. You can recognize a true leader by how their team responds to challenges. Team members don’t merely comply out of obligation or fear, such as salary deductions—they find genuine joy and fulfillment in their work.
Isn’t it fascinating how such team members trust the process, strive to achieve their goals, and are deeply influenced by the authenticity of their leader? A true leader doesn’t just manage the team to achieve objectives—they embody leadership as a way of life. They prioritize the well-being and growth of the people they serve, focusing on equipping, empowering, and inspiring them. In their vocabulary, "I" and "my" become "we," "our," and "let’s." After all, without a team, a leader is nothing.
True leaders teach their teams not to compete with others but to compete with “yourself”. How do we compete with “oneself”? By striving to improve our own skills, abilities, and mindsets—working each day to perform better than the day before. In doing so, we can all lead prosperous lives by becoming the leaders of our own selves. Leadership, after all, isn’t just an impressive title embossed on a business card or posted on FB wall.
Leadership, as I’ve come to learn, is about responsibilities rather than power. It demands a profound sense of accountability and the ability to guide and serve others.
Now, the question remains: Do you think we have such ideal leaders? Or can we choose such a leadership style for our upcoming candidates? Yes, we can—and we must. Just read their track records carefully, and look between the lines.
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