No easy days for a leader
Richa Singh
CFO @ Pernod Ricard India- leader in Alco-Bev, with Gross Revenue of €2.8 Billion. Author and passionate leader focused on building teams and driving growth .
Some where deep down most of us want to be leaders. Our 2 years at B school are spent dreaming, analyzing and aspiring to be that leader who would turn around crisis into an opportunity , or could steer a dissonant, divergent group into the most high performing organization ; and in our minds we carry the image of a larger than life charismatic leader. Perfection personified- Where a leader just makes things happen by virtue of his or her being; up until reality hits and we see ourselves moving towards , if not already into the throes of leadership.
And the realization hits...
- Gone are the days of charismatic leadership.. if there ever were any.
- A leader , needs to role up sleeves , patiently hear the hues and cries and drive "rationale data based decision making".
- Oh and no, a leader needs to ensure a balanced approach- it just can't always be about data, sentiments and likings play and equal role and have to be weighed too. Remember- the left brain and right brain- leadership requires a balance here .. Just cause you struck straight A's or 4/4 in all your quant classes on campus , doesn't naturally qualify you for leadership.
- Somewhere in the middle of rationale decision making and evaluating sentiments and taking his team along, a leader also needs to carefully monitor and navigate through thriving organizational politics. A leader will be a leader or an effective leader- only when he or she delivers results- growth or profitability, better still- growth with profitability; and execution of ideas or plans will most definitely will require management buy in and lobbying for those much needed and always "scarce" resources.
So if you are already there in the much coveted , seldom lounged in leader's seat- remind yourself- your job today is to (1) "Cut through the clutter of analytical and daily management boards- picking up what matters"+ (2)"steer your team towards -using both your left brain and right brain ( emotions matter) + (3)" be a strategic player- manage internal politics and lead your organization to growth". Simple 1, 2, 3 and your job is pretty much done.
If you are not there yet and envy your boss who has it easy.. you might want to think again. A leader's job when done with endless passion can be truly fulfilling but far from easy.