Is leadership success common sense?
There are thousands of books written on leadership describing it from science to art and everything in between. Much of leadership success is common sense. However, common sense is often rare. Consider these facts:
Leadership is primarily experiential. It is hard work, and there are no shortcuts. Training can help leadership competency. However, you can’t become a great leader by reading a book or participating in a training workshop. You must practise, practise, and practise. Generals are great by being in the field and not ordering sitting on an armchair.
Leaders are team players but maintain their capacity to change. Great leaders put the needs of others ahead of their own and work toward goals more significant than themselves. They work with teams but maintain their capacity to change.
Have you noticed a caravan? Everyone is moving in a herd-like manner. It is easy, safe, and predictable. But, moving in a group, you can lose your capacity to change. Why? Because you are going on a set, familiar path.
Whether a change is minor or significant, many will resist. A change means making an effort to learn. If you believe in the transition, be patient. Over time, people will adjust. They may even begin liking it more than the old ways. Maintain your capacity to change.
Leadership and management overlap. Each concept has unique characteristics, yet there is considerable overlap. Leaders must manage, and efficient managers must lead. Learn to do them both because they are more similar than different.
Leadership is much more about who you are than what you do. Many books offer valuable insights into various aspects of leadership. Still, most of them tell you what you already know to be true. Be nice. Play well with others. Say please and thank you. Do what you can to help others, be transparent and authentic with others, challenge them to strive for their goals, hold people accountable, and have the needed difficult conversations.
Leadership is about your values, beliefs, and attitudes. Your actions manifest the inner ideals. Suppose you want to be a successful leader. Your primary focus should be on the required inner work, not behavioral tricks or tactics.
Leaders aren’t exceptional. Leaders aren’t more special than individual contributors. We need everyone in a highly functional team. If you view leadership as service, you will consider your team members more important than yourself.
I would love to hear about your experiences! Please share your stories at satishmehtausa@gmail.com. Please forward this knowledge letter to those who could benefit from it. They can subscribe to it here or by clicking on the link below.
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