A LEADER WITH A HEART

MARY JANE G. URQUICO

One of the challenging roles in the society is being a leader. According to George Terry (1977), leadership is a process influencing the actions of an organized group in goal setting and accomplishment; also as an influence under which followers accept willingly the direction and control by another person or the leader. Haiman views leadership as a process whereby an individual directs, guides, influences, or controls the thoughts, feelings or behaviour of other human beings. Tead, as cited by Ruiz (1972), defines leadership as the activity of influencing people to compete toward some goals which they come to find desirable. From the definitions, it appears that two words, influence and interaction are bases in any discussion of leadership. Being a leader entails more trust, courage and compassion to be able to achieve what the group wants. It is neither an easy task nor an overnight job.

Just like any other positions, a leader must have qualities and characteristics which are unique among the rest in the group that will serve him as power tools in leading. Covey (1992) enumerated the following traits of a leader:

* Persuasive- includes sharing reasons and rationale, making a strong case for a position or desire while maintaining genuine respect for followers’ideas and perspective, communicative process until mutually beneficial and satisfying outcomes are reached.

* Patience- staying committed to the goals in the face of short- term obstacles and resistance.

* Gentleness- not harshness, hardness or forcefulness when dealing with disclosures and feelings that the followers might express.

* Teachable- a leader does not have all the answer, all the insights and valuing the different viewpoints, judgements and experiences followers may have.

* Acceptance- withholding judgement giving the benefit of the doubt. * Kindness- sensitive, caring thoughtful, and remembering the little things (which are big things) in relationship

* Openness- giving full consideration to the followers’intentions, desires, values and goals rather than focusing exclusively on their behaviour.

* Compassionate Confrontation- acknowledging error, mistakes and the need for followers to make “course corrections” in a context of genuine care, concern and warmth.

* Consistency- degree of firmness and ability to be assertive together without contradiction.

* Integrity- honestly matching words and feelings with thoughts and actions, correlating between what I value and believe and what I do not.

Above all these traits or power tools of a leader is the greatest and the supreme important and that is love. A leader should and must lead the followers with a heart. A leader with love in his heart know what to say, how to say, where to say and when to say a word/s.

There is a saying that goes, “Leaders are born not made”. Yes, I do believe that there are those who were really born to lead, but there are also those whose experiences, passion, dedication and love to serve enable them to lead better than others.

Let us reflect for a moment and ask these questions: What kind of leaders are we? Do we have the skills required of a good leader? How do we lead our group? Do we really deserve to be called a “Leader”? It is only us who can answer sincerely these questions.

— oOo—

The author is School Head at San Agustin Integrated School