What it takes to be a leader?
Ariel C. Venida
“It does not really matter where your name falls on in an organizational chart. Leadership is not a position...it’s a choice.” These words from Tim Autrey made me realize that being a leader does not necessarily mean we are on top or we have the highest position in the organization where we belong. Many people have the position in the organization but they do not really perform their function as an effective leader. On the other hand, there are people who do not hold any title or position in the organization, but by choice, becomes a leader. Leadership becomes a choice in the sense that there are also people who are not positioned as leaders but assume the role of a leader through the decisions they make, the positive influence they have and through their personal commitment towards the realization of the goals and visions of the organization.
Leadership is never defined by our title or by the position we are holding, rather it is defined by the qualities we have which enable us to become a good and effective leader. Such qualities involve having a clear vision for the organization and having the ability to bring positive changes to the organization by means of articulating and carrying out the vision. As a leader, it is not enough that we have the vision but more importantly, we have plan of actions which will lead to the attainment of the said vision.
Another characteristic of a good leader is having the positive influence and charisma to the people we are working with in such a way that we are able to empower and inspire our collaborators to work towards the realization of a common goal. As a leader, it is very important that we are able to get the support of our collaborators because without them, we cannot achieve alone whatever strategic goals we have set for the organization. Inspiring our collaborators gives them the motivation from within which serves as their drive in order to perform their functions well. These things all lie on the leader’s charisma ability to positively influence.
A true effective leader also knows how to accept mistakes, never blames others and takes responsibility and accountability for his/her own actions. Having this sense of realization that to err is very human helps leaders to accept that he/she isn’t perfect and he can never be everybody’s expectation. This also gives him/her the apprehension that every mistake is an opportunity to grow and learn new things and become even better.
Lastly, it is also noteworthy to emphasize that leadership is a function of the heart and mind. This means that being a leader, it is necessary that we do not only use our mind but also our heart in order to relate well and understand better the people we are working with. Having a heart means showing them empathy. As a leader, our collaborators should feel that we care for them and we have concern for them. It is also one way of giving them motivation to do their function with joy and work well for the success of the organization. As an effective leader, it is important that we know when to use our mind and when to use our heart in order to maintain a harmonious relationship with our collaborators and as well as to keep everything in our organization in the state of balance. Furthermore, an effective and good leader does not only look at the good of the company but also at the welfare of his/her collaborators.
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The author is Teaacher II at Science DepEd-Bical High School, Division of
Mabalacat City