Plato, the philosopher, once remarked that leadership is not the power to command but the courage to serve. True leaders lead from the front setting an example for team members to follow and emulate. They possess a rare combination of skills and qualities that enable them to inspire, motivate and guide their teams towards achieving a goal or vision. A true leader is a selfless visionary who has a clear understanding of the purpose, goals and values.
He or she visualizes something useful for generations to come. Their action plan is oriented towards achieving higher outcomes to the society.
A true leader is self-aware, empathetic and highly skilled at building strong relationships with the members. For better delivery, a leader should develop good communication skills. He should take timely decisions that impact the whole team.
Decisiveness is a great forte. Honesty and integrity are needed in a leadership role. Unless he is honest, he can’t insist honesty on his team members. True leaders prioritize the growth and development of their teams.
They frequently take feedback and work on the shortcomings or gaps if any from time to time. They convert challenges into opportunities. They create opportunities for their members to learn and improve.
A true leader is always agile and adapt to changing circumstances. Resilience is yet another leadership trait that a true leader bounces back from the failures and maintains the positive attitude. Attitude speaks and personality inspires. True leaders nourish these in them. They are accountable for the team’s performance and results.
True leaders always maintain humility and remain open to new ideas and perspectives. Further they are strategic thinkers who can deal with the most complex situations.
They can identify develop and innovate solutions. It is to the credit of a true leader that they foster a culture of collaboration or team work.
They should build stronger relationships with all the stakeholders. They should encourage experimentation. They learn from setbacks or failures. They look for periodical improvement. A culture of innovation and creativity are their assets.
Even at administrative level, the civil servants are selected after a rigorous three tier examination for the best minds who can handle crisis situations and decision making equally in a diligent way. This true leader defends his team in absence, shares strategies and removes barriers in the path to perfection.
According to Harvard survey, it is found that team leaders exhibit extraordinary skills in leading their teams with 47% higher innovation and 89 % take higher safety scores. Decision rate stands at 65 % faster. Success rate shows a phenomenal 71% achievement.
At administrative levels, and other sectors, a true leader makes a big difference. One decision could cost the team dearly. Hence a true leader should have critical thinking skills. In the game of cricket, the captain who acts as the leader of the team should have to take spot decisions when things go out of control.
Similarly, a teacher can change the course of a student in his journey. Politicians make good leaders. But sometimes they take wrong decisions that impact the whole society.
His leadership works wonders in the final analysis. Decisive calls project 82% clearer team alignment. With regards to setting high standards, about 63% recorded higher quality outputs while 77% stronger market reputation.
In another leadership project survey conducted by Stanford University, the opportunities created by the leaders stands at 88% having a stronger internal mobility.
Team success is measured by higher collaboration at 73% and 44 % with better client satisfaction.
Leaders accomplished conflict management and this rate stands at 79% as against 100% with 58 % having innovative ideas.
Looking at the world scenario, many great leaders improvised their teams towards a higher success rate.
They exhibited exceptional leadership qualities and significant impacts. There are leaders who have rewritten the history. The world produced great leaders in different fields. They include Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Malala Yousuafjai, Angela Narkel, Jacinda Arden, Elon Musk, Mary Barra, Jeff Bezos, Satya Nadella Sunder Pichai and etc. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities inspiring others to work towards a positive change in society. A true leader is never born. He can turn adversities into opportunities. He can be produced.
India has innumerable geniuses who with their leadership skills inspired many Indians. They led, directed and produced good leaders at every level. The world needs good leaders to transform, visualize and produce more leaders for posterity.
—The writer is the author and editor of 44 well-deserved books in English Literature.
