Misunderstanding of Leadership

The term “leadership” and its frequent misuse stem from the misunderstanding of its essence, much like the misappropriation of words such as “strategy”, “hero”, “awesome”, and so forth. When referring to leadership or leaders, people often mistakenly identify heads of positions, managers, experts, and outstanding workers as leaders. However, a leader is someone who influences people to accomplish something significantly through their vision, strategy, inspiration, guidance, purpose, and determination.  Leadership embodies the journey of the leader; it encapsulates the blend of science and art required to guide people toward an optimal destination, resulting in a cosmic shift and an optimal outcome. True leadership is about service to others and creating a flourishing environment for people to nurture and harness their talents. The process of leadership is “simplicated” – appearing simple but complicated. While the science of leadership can be studied, mastering the art, with all its subtleties proves more challenging. Consequently, many educators tend to focus on the science, the more predictable aspect rather than delving into the nuances of the art. Throughout history, those who emerged as leaders did so not by following a prescribed path but by possessing an inherent belief in their ability to lead. Leaders do not require permission to become one, they simply lead; although some may benefit from temporary guidance. While leadership may be considered a calling, teaching its principles can aid in personal growth and life improvement. Nevertheless, mere learning about leadership is insufficient to embody its true essence. You must have the inclination towards leadership and actively choose to undergo the necessary development work and sacrifices needed to become one.

The scientific aspect of leadership entails understanding the actions leaders must take and the knowledge they must possess. This includes envisioning and planning, projecting confidence, demonstrating perseverance, effectively communicating ideas and vision, understanding group dynamics, and developing a proper leadership system. It also involves possessing the cognitive capacity and strategic acumen required to navigate trials and uncharted waters. Leaders must be reflective and agile yet decisive, as adjustments are inevitable with changing circumstances and the acquisition of new information. Indecisiveness is a cloak leaders cannot afford to wear, as it undermines their credibility and effectiveness. People gravitate towards leaders because they perceive something exceptional in them and expect them to exhibit strong futuristic thinking and decision-making skills. Leaders are anticipated to possess greater knowledge than those they lead, particularly regarding the direction and actions required in both routine and challenging circumstances, thus having a strategy; different from the tactic of an expert. Vigilance is a prerequisite for leaders, and while they may err, surprises do not arise from a lack of foresight or complacency. Leaders do not act for the popularity or approval of others but rather with a calculated focus on vision and strategy.

The artistic dimension of leadership involves discerning when to act and when to refrain, irrespective of temptation. It encompasses adeptly managing diverse situations, environments, and personalities, as well as handling vicissitudes, chartering new roads, and resisting temptations. Leaders prefer to surround themselves with critical thinkers, nurturing their abilities for the collective good. Leaders possess the fortitude to handle various situations, preventing initial wins from blinding them and maintaining the initial hunger to do the right things. They know themselves and favor independent thinkers, truth-tellers, and ambassadorship of the shared vision rather than purely the allure of cult-like adoration. Consequently, leaders cherish honor, loyalty, and integrity, and are dedicated, determined, and disciplined with their actions. They appear ordinary in likeness but extraordinary in details and intellect and have an internal compass – attributes that make people trust and believe in them. Even in good times, leaders remain vigilant, forward-thinking, anticipating challenges, and devising strategies to surmount them when the music stops. They allow the people to celebrate victories and accomplishments but they know winning a battle or some battles does not mean they have won the war so they maintain a steadfast focus on the vision and destination. Having emotional resilience, seeing beyond the funfairs, and being mission-focused are key attributes of leaders. Leadership is a lonely experience despite the presence of advisors and allies as the finalities are on the leader to make and all repercussions as well. Leaders also comprehend the complexities of human nature and anticipate setbacks, ensuring preparedness and resilience in the face of adversity. The people do not have the burden of leadership so their sights may become myopic, but a leader must have at least a 20/10 vision.

Security concerns are paramount for leaders, who remain watchful against internal and external threats to prevent an early ending to the vision, and nothing demotivates faster than people thinking their sacrifices were in vain. Leaders occasionally withdraw to reassess situations and glean insights from solitude. This introspective retreat allows leaders to clarify observations, answer tough questions, and even identify potential successors with qualities such as integrity, wisdom, and selflessness. They look for someone who not only wants accolades but understands the burden of leadership and the requirements of the vision. Someone comfortable with thinkers, the truth, or people who are better at something than them. Another requirement is humility in the face of power to prevent the leader from making terrible mistakes because they have the means. When it comes to punishment, it is designed to teach a lesson and help people repent, and not just humiliate them or turn them into foes. While leaders administer punishment with fairness and some mercy, betrayal is a one-way street. Leaders know it is better to have and make friends or at least not to create unnecessary enemies hence they form strategic alliances and nurture relationships. They eschew favoritism to preserve unity and focus on the collective vision. “Service for the benefit of the people” is the coat of arms of leaders and people in their camp, as they focus on the people and not their own glory or self-gratification.

Most people mistakenly equate leadership solely with the positions one holds, rather than what one does in the position. Simply occupying a position does not inherently confer leadership. This is evident with countries and organizations, as just being the head of state of a country does not make you a leader in its true sense, and the same goes for the organizational head. Having a position is an opportunity for you to lead, it is what you do with that position that turns the person into a leader. While heads are common, leaders are rare; look at leadership as an aura surrounding one’s head. Heads often prioritize their status and personal ambitions, while leaders are dedicated to fostering positive change and impact for the people and society, driven by a vision that transcends personal interests. In many contexts, there will be a winner, a number one, or someone at the top by default. However, ascension to such heights alone does not qualify one as a leader. If attaining the summit has no real positive impact on the people and society, then you failed the litmus test of leadership. Just as it is a natural law for space to be occupied by something, reaching the top does not inherently signify leadership; true leadership is defined by the actions taken thereafter. Regrettably, many mistakenly believe that possessing a position is the prerequisite for leadership instead of the other way around, forgetting that a position is just a tool wielded by leaders. Similar to mistaking the chisel for the sculptor's craftsmanship; the position is merely a means to an end. Hence, what is commonly referred to as positional leadership represents the most rudimentary form of leadership, if it can be classified as such at all. Leadership transcends the maintenance of one's position and encompasses a dynamic process that permeates every facet of an entity.

Leaders are unafraid of relinquishing their position when the time comes and if that will help to continue the journey and bring the vision closer to reality. Just as a sculptor is not afraid to replace a tool to achieve the best outcome. Leaders are driven by a commitment to doing what is right, devising strategies, and empowering others to excel. Entrepreneurs and pioneers may be innovators but they do not inherently embody leadership. Likewise, expertise in a particular domain does not equate to leadership; it merely signifies mastery of a craft. Being virtuous or noble does not automatically confer leadership either, as these qualities are essential irrespective of one's leadership status. It is incumbent upon people to strive for self-improvement, yet such endeavors do not necessarily translate to leadership unless directed toward uplifting the people, catalyzing their growth, and taking them to a better place. This is usually the case when someone wins accolades but has no real benefit for the people. Charisma, popularity, or likability, while advantageous traits, do not inherently constitute leadership also; they are tools that leaders may use to achieve results. All these descriptors are often erroneously conflated with leadership, thereby diluting its true essence. The indiscriminate labeling of commendable attributes as leadership has led to its overuse and the unwarranted classification of people merely fulfilling their duties. It is not leadership if what you are doing only benefits yourself, family, or friends – people you know. True leadership extends beyond self-interest or negates them, and encompasses dedication to the betterment of the population, even those unknown to the leader. Leadership necessitates challenging people to transcend their comfort zones and realize their full potential despite encountering resistance. Seeking validation through popularity is dangerous to a leader and should be avoided like a plague. Instead, leaders are admired and respected based on their attributes and their unwavering commitment to doing what is right, irrespective of their feelings, affiliations, or what others might think of them. This makes leadership a lonely road because they are the only ones who know the demons they are fighting within themselves and in the people, hence, their every move is calculated and sometimes appears mysterious.

Contrary to popular belief, leadership cannot be bestowed upon anyone; it is a conscious choice informed by a particular worldview, regardless of your environment and limitations. Leaders affect transformative change within their environment while other demigods like heads, managers, experts, and outstanding workers use the environment as best as they can by adapting to prevailing conditions. While most people are shaped by their environments, leaders possess the agency to redefine the environment. They are catalysts for paradigm shifts, driving exponential rather than incremental change. Leadership is distinct from mere improvement; it entails guiding others toward a collective vision, rather than merely excelling individually. While people can be trained to ascend to positions of authority, true leadership transcends mere proficiency like having the highest score on a test. Leaders do not view themselves in competition with others but as trailblazers charting their own course like writing a better test book. Outsiders perceive leadership like icebergs, observing only its visible manifestations while remaining unaware of the depth beneath the surface – its “simplicated” nature. Everyone has what it takes to become a leader but not everyone is a leader. Leaders know how to bring out the required attributes and more to become a leader, while other people’s remain dormant. Leaders can be guided to help them blossom but in no time, they begin to teach the teacher. As mentioned, individual improvement is needed regardless, however, leadership is a different dimension, like a torch that shows you a path versus a light that brightens the path for everyone.

Identifying a leader is akin to experiencing an epiphany; their presence is self-evident, obviating the need for overt displays of authority. Leaders shun self-aggrandizement, recognizing that their position is secondary to their vision. They prioritize what is best for the people over personal gain, emphasizing substance over style. They pay attention more to the message than the messenger and are not jealous of other people’s strengths but derive satisfaction from empowering them to succeed and channeling it for the greater good. Leaders do not seek followers; followers are attracted to leaders because of their vision and trust. Leaders know themselves and view adversity as something they have to go through to get to the other side, the better side. They also have a growth mindset and look at the past to understand and learn from it, but are not stuck in it. They do not see themselves as victims of any circumstance instead, they focus on the lessons to gain from it. Leaders know they are there to serve the people instead of being served by them. They focus on the impact they want to make and not the praise they want to get; adulation or accolades. In the end, the only mark of a leader is the transformative impact they have by ushering in a major paradigm shift that took into account the people’s and human condition. Ultimately, only crises can ordain a leader, until then, the person is just a caretaker.