Leadership

What truly is leadership? History is quick to cite many examples of leaders including political and military figures. In some cases most would agree with this. However, in most cases, were they truly leaders or mere opportunists trying to get ahead in life or were seeking personal glory. Or were they thrust into a position of power where others had no option other than to follow or obey their commands.

To further examine this subject, what is the academic definition of leadership?

Princeton states: The word leadership can refer to: # The ability "to get people to follow voluntarily. # The ability to affect human behavior so as to accomplish a mission designated by the leader.

Drucker defined general leadership as lifting of a person’s vision to higher sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard and the building of a person’s personality beyond its normal limitations.

Both of these definitions indicate there is some form of inspiration involved with leadership skills. Leadership then is not necessarily being the best in the performance of a task or function. That is merely being a good performer. Good performers can actually have a negative effect on teams or in professional environments. Accomplishment by a group or a single person under the influence and perhaps urging of another person is a more of a sign of good leadership. I suggest that true leadership entails that accomplishment must also achieved willingly as a result of the inspiration not force or direct command.

This would tend to exclude most political and military examples where it is mandated that persons perform under the “leadership” of their commander or designated leader. Under these situations, those enlisted as part of an organization are required to respond or obey the leadership role designated by the organization.

How is leadership achieved?

There is a lot to be said for the phrase “To thine own self be true” from Shakespeare. Leaders have an awareness of themselves, others and their surroundings. Leadership is demonstrated best by those with a confidence with themselves in doing the right thing. To believe in yourself you must first learn who you are. If you wish to become a leader first learn who you are, then believe in yourself and finally act always with that belief.