Leaders and Leadership

Leadership is essential in any society, both human and animal, but what makes a good leader. Are you born to lead or can you acquire the necessary qualities, if so how and what are the outward signs of leadership?

Leaders are by their nature individualistic and display qualities which make them stand out for better and sometimes worst. Some of the latter may do this through exaggerated self-publicity. For example, politicians making controversial speeches, military and even civilian personnel by the use of shouting and threats. You will find this approach in all forms of life, the workplace, education and leisure. This brash, bullying approach is rarely the sign of true leadership – more likely a sign of lack o, self-confidence, ability and jealousy of others. True leaders are more likely to be quite unassuming but nonetheless have firm self-belief in their ability and in the support of those around them. That is not to say all forms of self-publicity are wrong, after all there is not much point in having the qualities of leadership if they are not apparent and used when needed. My first business teacher described this as not hiding your light under a bush. 

 The relationship between leaders and those who are led is one of the oldest and most basic forms of human existence. The need to survive has meant that there has always been a need for a person or perhaps group of people to take the lead. For the majority of the others there is the need to be shown what to do. In the animal world this is known as the herd instinct and it is just as common in humans. Consider a crowd of football supporters or the many groups of protesters now seen virtually every week.



Who are to-days leaders? You may say those in politics, the military, police or even the pop world. People you see and hear of regularly on the TV, in the press and on social media.  Leadership and leaders are part of most of all our lives, at all levels not just these high profile examples. Consider; school, college, university the workplace, sport and other forms of leisure. In schools and colleges we have head teachers deputies, senior staff, teachers, captains’ prefects etc. In universities, chancellors, deans and proctors. The workplace has directors, managers, foremen and supervisors. The world of sport, captains, vice captains, and trainers. Musicians have conductors, orchestra leaders; in the theatre, producers, directors promoters etc. There are many other job titles in these and most other activities. All indicate a level of authority, responsibility and control which require a form of leadership. 

Historically the need for survival meant that some form of military is perhaps the oldest form of leadership. Usually seen as the easiest by those not in the military. After all what could be simpler than giving orders to those who by organisation, tradition, culture and training are conditioned to obey. Not to mention the fear of punishment if you fail to do as ordered. However this is not the full picture and the qualities which make a good leader are applicable to all occupations

So what is leadership?  In simple terms, where more than one person is involved, the ability to get others to do something or achieve a particular result. Even, when they are not keen to do so, perhaps totally against doing what is being asked. Military leaders, contrary to what you might think, can achieve more by encouragement, quiet persuasion, confidence and example than by just giving orders. Even so whether in the military or non-military situation you must have a determination, that when needed, you are not afraid or otherwise constrained to resort to a form of force, in order to achieve success. My first business teacher described this as “the iron fist in the velvet glove.” That is to say the fear of retribution being known to be there but rarely shown. He also wisely said that you must on occasions show the iron fist; otherwise no one will know it’s there. I agree with his approach

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 I have said that leadership is a very individual attribute which I would explain as the projection of the leader’s character, perhaps charisma to achieve a result. What then are the main qualities of you need to be an effective leader? I suggest:--

PERSONAL EXAMPLE.  Never expect anyone else to do what you would not be prepared to do yourself. That is not to say you will be able to do it as well or indeed to have to do it every time. Simply that it is better to lead by example and say, we can rather than you will. Good example is what people respond to the most and bad example – the do as I say not as do approach – is likely to have opposite reaction.

STRENGTH.  A leader must have strength – not necessarily physical although there are circumstances where a level is required. Most certainly moral strength is a must. The strength to make decisions and to stand by them because you believe they are right. Even in the face of negative criticisms and public opinion. Unfortunately in today’s world fear of negative criticism, even legal action or just of being unpopular means many who should be taking a lead fail to do so. Their thinking being: - Decision means responsibility which means blame; so their approach to a problem which needs leadership is, I don’t want to be blamed – or held responsible – so I will not make a decision.

DETERMINATION. The inner strength and self-belief necessary to force things through, in spite of fear of retribution, negative criticism or public opposition.

COMMON SENSE. Then confidence and wisdom to balance the chances of success or failure of your intended course of action. Because the greater your courage and the stronger your determination, the bigger the disaster if you make the wrong choice. Common sense is not a quality you are born with, it comes from experience, knowledge and training.

KNOWLEDGE. In order to lead you need to know about, your subject/profession, yourself, your competitors and the people you lead. This will enable you in to stay one jump ahead and react to unexpected and changing circumstances. So you must never stop learning about yourself, your subject/profession and the people you are interacting with and striving to better yourself in every way.

ADAPTABILITY. With ever increasing rapid communication, situations can change at short notice. You need to be adaptable and have courage to change when circumstances change. To simply press ahead for reasons of pride, obstinacy or being afraid of negative criticism is a sign of weakness not strength.

PERSONAL HONESTY. This can be summed up by my old school motto; - INTEGRITYI – meaning uprightness in every way. Be true to yourself, true to others and treat them as you yourself would want to be treated. 

 No doubt you can think of other important qualities and you might think that leaders are born not made with the rest of us are just there to follow. This is definitely not so! To get and develop these qualities requires hard work and dedication and the can do spirit. You may not always be the best and perhaps never the best of the best – but you can always make the best of yourself and continue to improve. Importantly making the most what you have means you are far better placed to take advantage of the opportunities which come along. And they really will.

 Cultivate these qualities in yourselves and be able to recognise them in others you are well on the way to being a leader. 

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Footnote.

This is how it should be, but a word of caution; not everyone you meet in life in work or leisure aspires to these ideals. There are some people in authority who have the power but not the qualities of leadership. We do not live i a perfect world and there are plenty of bad guys out there as well as good.

You must learn from your own experience and knowledge and that of others how to distinguish the good from the bad and ensure you and your ideals are not taken advantage of. Do not allow yourself to be influenced by the bad guys, however successful they may seem to be.  This is not always easy. Even the greatest leaders have their faults so at times you have to also be tolerant without compromising your own ideals and position.