"True leaders light the way, not by standing above others but by walking beside them."
Prithi Gopinath
Director Operations | MBA (SIBM), PGDEM, BCEM, BCom, 6σ Black Belt | CRM | Operations | Project Management | L&D | Training | BD | IoT | FM | Banking industry | ITES | Telecom | BPO | Real Estates | Logistics
True leadership is not about power, status, or standing above others. It’s about being a guide, a mentor, and a partner who walks alongside those they lead. A great leader recognizes that leadership is a shared journey, one that requires collaboration, empathy, and trust. By walking beside others, leaders demonstrate that they are not above the challenges their team faces but are willing to experience those challenges together, offering guidance and support along the way.
Leaders who walk with their team foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. They listen to their team members, value their opinions, and acknowledge their contributions. Instead of dictating from a distance, they get involved, ensuring that everyone feels heard, supported, and valued. This kind of leadership builds strong relationships, creating an environment where people feel motivated to contribute their best.
When a leader walks beside their team, they lead by example. They show that no task is beneath them, and no problem is too small for their attention. This humility and willingness to engage at every level inspire others to follow suit. Team members are more likely to trust and respect a leader who shows that they are willing to roll up their sleeves and work alongside them. This approach also fosters loyalty and commitment because the team sees their leader as one of them—not a distant authority figure but a partner in their collective success.
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Walking beside your team also allows you to better understand their challenges, needs, and aspirations. Leaders who remain connected to the people they lead can offer more relevant support, guidance, and resources. This connection enables leaders to anticipate potential obstacles and help their teams navigate through them more effectively. It also ensures that leaders remain grounded, understanding the realities of the work their team is doing.
Ultimately, leadership is about service. A leader who walks with their team illuminates the path forward, not through commands but through collaboration, encouragement, and mutual trust. This kind of leadership empowers individuals to take ownership of their roles, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. By walking beside their team, a true leader lights the way to collective success, growth, and achievement.
#LeadershipWithHumility #LeadByExample #EmpoweringTeams #ServantLeadership #WalkWithYourTeam #CollaborativeLeadership #LeadershipInAction #TeamworkAndLeadership #EmpathyInLeadership #LeadersWhoInspire
Development Services Process Coordinator | Neighborhood and Community Development
1 个月All of these thoughts and opinions are fabulous and encouraging. My question is when does an organization, when do those in leadership take these words, take these best practices that are present in beautiful memes, graphics, or gifs from a collection of nouns to a collection of verbs? When do these suggestions become actual actions? For example, if mental health is of value in the workplace, if organizations want to be recognized for stressing the importance, when do we see that leader openly say how they over came depression or addiction or thoughts of suicide? When do we see employees tell the story of leadership with emotional intelligence tell the story of when a leader stood in the trenches and built those employees up, helped them grow. When do we see “true leaders light the way, not standing above others.” ?When do we see workplace psychological safety in actuality. When do we read the story of when leadership put a stop to bullying, passive aggression behavior, mobbing? When does theory and research become reality? When do we see that organization go out on a ledge to be different and take the beautiful suggestions and make them actions?