Travel Light

I wonder, through many conversations, that people tend to talk on “leadership” like a goal to be attained – as if, leadership is a point that you need to touch to prove that you have reached the pinnacle of success. This approach makes the notion of being a ‘leader’ a static concept. Visualize a person walking down the professional path, stopping for just a few minutes to pocket some object called ‘leadership’ and then look around triumphantly to announce “There! I did it!”

The more I think about it, the more I feel that this is far from the truth! Is not Leadership a Journey in itself? To think of Leadership as a destination in itself would be to lose out on the very essence of the enrichment that comes from being a traveller in this journey of self-discovery.

In the journey of leadership, everything gets based on the assumption that the primary factor in this is YOU. Before a leader steps up to lead others, one has to be adept at leading oneself. The story starts with self-belief. Do you believe you can create a positive impact on others? Do you believe that you are on to substantially productive and meaningful purpose? If you can't believe that, you might as well not start the journey itself!

The journey of Leadership, therefore, becomes a self-discovery. Even before you venture into driving others, you will ask yourself questions, find answers to those and gain clarity about your direction in life. In doing so, you will be compelled to define your values, principles, and expectations for yourself as well as your path in life. You can hope to inspire and only when you become a conscious leader. When you recognize your potential and your abilities, and then work on them, you can help others do the same. Help others shine.

The first step is all about understanding who you are, what are the things you care about and why you are doing everything that you are! Your convictions, values, aspirations, and choices should be well defined in your eyes. Look at it this way - YOU are the first person you are going to lead and show the direction to.

Contrary to what most people think, teams that you are going to lead do want to know about you-your values and beliefs, what all do you care about and what have been some of the most influential factors in your life. Or for that matter, what are the experiences that made you who you are today.

When people see you in your true 'human' element, your true “ being” they find it easier to relate to you, connect with you and are more willing to be led by you. From their perspective, they can respect the strength and determination that might be reflected in your actions.

The reason 'leadership' appears a hard task to achieve is that people need to go through a transformation themselves before they can call themselves 'leaders.' The transformation involves self analysis and growth. Leaders who have walked their journeys of self-growth successfully help in bringing about a better, broader perspective to their teams and therefore to their organizations.

That is what the entire journey of leadership gives to you - the ability to hold others' hands, nudge them along their path and inspire them.

Leaders can do for others what they have done for themselves. Effective leaders have so much in common with and are, in fact, good coaches, story tellers and teachers.

Just like they have been able to find direction for themselves, they can elevate the perspective of others, help in changing paradigms, give reassurance when needed and provide hope. Just as they have tackled their fears, they can support others who go through the same. 

One can sync well with the statement that "Leadership is a journey, not a destination." And in it being a journey, it also calls for continual work -on yourself, your development. I believe in treating it all like a journey - with no particular destination. I take a few steps, then a few more and revel in an experience of a lifetime! In that sense, I am a perpetual traveler. I only need to be in the 'flow.' Move forward, maybe stop at some pit stops for a check and renewal of thoughts, and then move on again. When I do that, I am progressing each day to be ME completely. I am rediscovering and rejuvenating each moment. While on a journey of leadership, I also discover the very essence of being ALIVE - that each moment is an opportunity to be happy. And that's the fun of being on a journey.

This journey has commenced for me, yet again, with another 11 Co-Travellers - Journey of immersion in leadership though the heart & mind.

If you are keen to join the journey and impact lives, do drop me a message and I will be happy to share the journey.