Leadership is an act of service not a position or chair.

Leadership is an act of service not a position or chair

I have experienced some success that has helped me  avoid the hopelessness of life and many failures to maintain my humility.

Many aspiring defence officers and aspiring corporate leaders- senior managers, heads and directors of organisations ask me how have I developed my leadership skill.

I'm afraid there isn't a perfect system, or collection of perfect systems.

You are a special individual with a special leadership trajectory in front of you. Nobody can show you the road; you must discover it for yourself. If it were an easy road, there would be a lot more individuals in leadership positions or responsibilities than there are actually and  I have to admit that, based on my experience and observations, the majority of effective leaders develop independently of their organisations rather than as a result of them.

How have I developed leadership ? Well, I became a leader because I always strived to lead and not be led. Those of you who do not know my personal journey. I come from a small village in the eastern part of UP. My father was an educator and mother a housewife. I had three younger sisters. It was my greatest luck to be born to a supportive parent, encouraging mother and inspiring father. While most of my childhood needs were not met (and there is no regret) I am so grateful I had education. No matter how discouraging society was of girl child education in those days it was a privilege to be backed by parents in this regard.This made me value and make the most of the opportunity. I was not the best but I always stood ahead, took initiative, volunteered and was always in action. When I spoke they laughed. I still spoke and corrected myself. I observed successful people and I self learnt. I spoke in youth parliament and started writing my own speeches. I became better and I am still learning to improve further, learning never stops. During my college days when it was difficult for my classmates to leave their beds and comforts on Saturdays and Sundays., I went out in my shining boots and well ironed NCC uniforms for my NCC parades. Later represented my directorate and became under officer and best cadet of my NCC battalion. I did my own campaign in the election for the position of student council president, winning it and being the center of all the college activities. During summers I sold newly launched beauty cream to earn some extra money and it felt empowering. I cracked one of the toughest interviews i.e SSB and joined the coveted Indian armed forces. It further honed my leadership skills. So from selling that brand of cream now a well known brand, to coaching grade 11 and 12 students in physics, to being a front desk in a coaching institute, to joining a school to teach physics, to joining armed forces and to now helping men and women of the corporates hone their life and leadership skills through my coaching and training initiatives. I choose every time to lead. Leadership is action. It is a service. Leadership is not a position.

In a recent poll conducted by me on whether a leader is born or trained, 77 % of you said leaders can be trained . Well yes they can be but only after you have trained yourself to a level from where your organisation can take over. I recently attended one of the leadership summit where I had the opportunity to listen to Robin Sharma and he says individuals need no title, they have the power to demonstrate leadership wherever they are. Are you a leader in your current role ?

Here’s 4 ways in which you can develop your leadership abilities.

Preparation 

You should never rule yourself out as a prospective leader if you meet the fundamental condition of being prepared to take responsibility. To be at the right place at the right time, one must first enter that environment.  Remember what Louis Pasteur said, "Fortune favours the prepared mind."

Your confidence  is directly proportional to your preparation.

Proactive approach 

As a result of their need for leaders, organisations do have a stake in your leadership development. Share your aspirations, plans, and aims with them. Whether it's in the form of team or project group leadership, you should prioritise chances to lead. Your successes and failures are piled up in experience. Get that experience. You will rarely be able to develop as a leader without it.

In addition to promoting you to a leadership position, organisations may also provide you with leadership training, maybe in response to a request from you. 

Self Reflection  

Most leaders are action-centred and fairly well immersed in

their work.  But you do need  to be able to withdraw from time to time and take a ‘birds eye view’ of what is going on. These times of reflection should include your own role performance as a leader. List the things that are going well and identify some specific areas for self-improvement. It will yield you a mental list of action points aimed at improving your skills and  knowledge as a leader.

Feedback

Just smile it away if one person calls you a horse.

 If two people claim you are one then consider that carefully.

Suppose three individuals claim you are a horse then you get a saddle.

Feedback resembles a rocket's steering system in certain ways. It may direct you on your journey to leadership greatness if you accept it with an open mind and a desire to find the truth in it.

Never let failure scare you. In the end remember- be a

‘Happy Warrior’, who

Looks forward, persevering to the last,

From well to better, daily self-surpassed.