The brave and bold leader
The sales chief, the HR chief, and the boss of a company are on their way to lunch when they stumble upon a beat up, but valuable looking brass container.
The sales chief picks it up and starts cleaning it with his handkerchief. Suddenly, a genie emerges out of a curtain of purple smoke. The genie is grateful to be set free, and offers them each a wish.
The HR chief is wide-eyed and ecstatic. She says, “I want to be living on a beautiful beach in Jamaica with a sailboat and enough money to make me happy for the rest of my life.” Poof! She disappears. The sales chief says, “I want to be happily married to a wealthy supermodel with penthouses in New York, Paris, and Hong Kong.” Presto! He vanishes. “And how about you?” asks the Genie, looking at the boss. The boss scowls and says, “I want both those idiots back in the office by 2 p.m.”
Moral of the story: Always let your boss speak first.
Being a boss is not easy. It would be a lot easier and it would make the boss a lot more popular by catering to all that their people want. But the job of the leader is not to be popular and the job of the leaders is definitely not to please everyone; the job of the leader is to achieve goals and make sure that he or she brings the people along with it.
Leadership talents are constantly tested and challenged. You may be running a business, leading a team or even running a home. The truth is that attitudes and aptitudes are a leader’s influential qualities.
Allow me to just concentrate on one important element that leaders need to exhibit in order to get good things done well. And here it is: Good leaders exhibit bravery. 1. Leaders have the bravery to lead an ethical life. Our people and our children behave the same way. They do not believe 100 percent what leaders say but they certainly believe 100 percent they see leaders do. There are so many temptations and seductions to make personal gains and it becomes more difficult if “everybody is doing it anyway” but the brave leader is determined to do only what is right. 2. Leaders have the bravery to assume responsibility. There are so many people out there who have mastered the art and science of “blamestorming.” But not the good leader, he or she shows the bravery to own the situation and live out the popular saying: “The buck stops here.” 3. Leaders have the bravery to seek out the truth. Truth always come and is unpleasant to those who do not like it. It can ruffle feathers and it can cut off friendships. But they stick to the truth and do the harder right than to do the easier wrong. 4. Leaders have the bravery to take the initiative. Even when the rest of the team shows disinterest and apathy the brave leader displays initiative, make things happen and get the team to get moving. 5. Leaders have the bravery to show determination and persistence. Even when everybody says “It can’t be done,” the leader rallies the team and shows the resolve to achieve goals and targets. 6. Leaders have the bravery to serve. Good leaders do not push their weight around. They show humility and park their ego in the parking lot. If they make mistakes they admit it. If they offend others they say they are sorry. They understand that if serving is beneath them then leadership is beyond them. 7. Leaders are brave enough to stay faithful. They are also good leaders at home. They are faithful to their families and they support a strong and stable foundation for the children because they want to leave them a meaningful legacy for their future. They also lead their people well because they want to leave them a good legacy as well. 8. Leaders are brave enough to lead and follow. Leaders will be criticized and ostracized. Leaders have to make hard and unpopular decisions but good leaders know that is part of the job. They also show that they are good followers, they respect the authority. And willingly welcome and consider ideas and comments of others.
This is why they are good leaders and are brave because they do these things. They produce themselves through developing their people and they will always be remembered.
It is never easy to be a good leader. It takes character, competence and guts. And that is why leadership is so fulfilling.
(Experience two inspiring days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills in his widely acclaimed Level Up Leadership January 16-17, 2018 at SEDA HOTEL, BGC. For further inquiries contact April at +63928-559-1798 or register online at www.levelupleadership.ph)