To Lead or Not to Lead

Never underestimate the power of what you read just to pass time in waiting/scrolling...

'Leadership is Influence' - John. Maxwell. The first time I read that quote, it made me ponder (like most good quotes do) ??

What is Leadership? What is Influence? Why should one want to be a Leader? Why Influence?

? Is leadership defined by such exemplary personalities like Steven Jobs, Elon Musk and/or Jeff Bezos?

OR

? Is Leadership personified through Social figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela?

?? Can we call Mother Teresa a good leader since she chose to lead her life in service, inspiring others, around the globe, to do the same?

?? In that case, can my mother also be called a leader for she gave birth to a someone who does the exact opposite of what she is told, and yet, has chosen Not to abandon me and continue to tolerate me?

Recently, when attending an event for Isha?(a spiritual foundation I volunteer for #ishafoundation Sadhguru JV ), instead of a 1000 participants (who RSVPed ) 3000 showed up at the dining venue.

So some of us, went into the kitchen, asked how we could help, rolled up our sleeves and made sure that all 3000 participants were fed before they left that night.

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? Can we call this leadership?

(PS: since there wasn't enough food left over by the end of it, we all made scrumilicious PB&J sandwiches. Totally Worth It!?) ?? ??

If the answer is Yes, then are we all Leaders ? If so, can we all be in leadership positions??

And if all of us are in these said, Leadership Positions… then whom are we leading, exactly? (since we are all leaders in the first place)??

?? Let's think through this

What is one trait/quality that all these examples have in common?

?? Willingness!

?Willingness to lead others through their vision

Willingness to lead a community through change

Willingness to lead through service

Willingness to Serve others

&

Willingness to tolerate and live with someone like me

(FYI, apart from the fact that I do the exact opposite of what I am told, I am an excellent daughter..?Ask anyone) ??

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So, to be a Leader… one has to?be Willing to Lead.

In other words, you are willing to take on the responsibility to support and nurture your team so that each individual can perform at their Best, Trust each other, Want to Follow You, rather than have to follow you. None of this can happen unless we, as leaders, want (are willing) to make it happen.

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Which brings me to my second observation

? Leadership is a choice

?In the corporate world, this statement is controversial since many are put into leadership positions, not by choice (to phrase is better, the choice is made for the increased salary and the perks, Not necessarily for the Job of Being a Leader for their teams). If you consciously do not choose to be a leader for your team, then you are simply an employee who is filling up A Leadership Position/Space. You are Not a leader for your team, Yet!!!

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Finally

? Leadership is a Lifestyle - Once a leader, Always a Leader

?All great leaders stay true to this. They lead by example. Their job as a leader, is not defined by 9 to 5 timings.

I am by no means, supporting late hours OR to be available for your team 24x7. This is about how you are perceived as a leader by others. It's not how much, it's about your intent, With what intent & commitment are you showing up as a Leader.

Mahatma Gandhi, wasn't just a leader when he had 1000s of followers following him. He lived his cause and inspired other to live his cause too and hence became a leader…

Mother Teresa wasn't serving people only for the journalists or the camera, she made service her lifestyle and as a result inspired and influenced others to follow.

In conclusion,?

?? A True Leader is willing to lead and take responsibility for his/her people (this requires Courage and Being Brave enough to Show up. Topics I will discuss in another post).

??You are Not a leader because you have a team or followers following you. When you lead a lifestyle of influence you will be able to lead others through inspiration and they will want to follow you.

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?Not sure who requires to read this today, for those questioning themselves as leaders. Struggling as a result of being in a leadership position OR for not being in one Yet….

Hope this helps… If it did, let me know. You will have Inspired me to Smile, today!