What it really means to be a LEADER

When I was just relatively new to holding leadership positions at work, I remember writing down on my planner this quote that is shared by one of my mentors:

“Leadership—it is about making others better as a result of your presence, and making sure that that impact lasts in your absence.”

Since that on, I kind of internalised this saying like my own mantra—something that I would hold onto even after almost 2 decades.

My journey as a Wealth Management Consultant and as a leader wasn’t easy at all.

In fact, I think this is an understatement.

Every year has its own challenge—yet, every season also has its own joy and rewards.

I have journeyed with many individuals as they took on various quests in their respective jobs, businesses, and personal (family) wealth.?

And in all those many different experiences, there is this one important thing that I have learnt and realised more and more deeply each year:

That truly,

Every person is unique. Each one is like a unique puzzle piece in a huge picture—and that picture isn’t and wouldn’t be complete without even just one, tiny piece.

That is how significant each individual is.

That is how significant YOU are.

Grasping these realisations, in one way or another, had led me to form another mantra—or perhaps, another conviction when it comes to leadership, I suppose!

There and there, I have come to the resolve that there is no one fixed leadership role.

What does this mean?

Well, if I will be given just one hat or even several hats as a leader in the workplace, saying that there is no one fixed leadership role—to me, simply means that there is no one style, no one way, and no one “stage” of doing it all right and perfectly.

As a leader,

I firmly believe that you need to be the one to fine-tune and calibrate yourself within the people groups that you are leading; you need to be the one to make sure that the kind of presence that you are giving off is the apt one for your mentee’s needs, in whatever time it may be.

Does your mentee need your social presence?

Then start building the rapport by opening up something “personal”! (Can be your likes, dislikes, your pets, your children, etc.)

Does your mentee need your teaching presence?

Then be ready (and be willing!) do the teaching work by allocating a certain amount of time consistently to invest in your mentee’s learning experience.

Does your mentee need your cognitive presence?

Then be keen on imparting intellectual (or technical) knowledge, understanding and communicating feedback more—in a way that will encourage further thought process and idea analysis.

These things are just some of the practical ways that you can do with your mentees at work—whether you are a Wealth Management Consultant, a Sales Manager, or a Professor, a parent, name it!

However, I do hope that amidst these given “tips”, we would still and will always keep in mind that, like what I previously said, there is no one (and best!) “way” to lead.

As leaders, we always need to do the daily grind of figuring out every time how to see the best in each and every individual under our leadership,

And HOW to actually let that best out and EMPOWER our mentee to MAKE THE MOST OUT OF IT.

May we also always be ready and willing to go the extra mile—to see both their weaknesses and strengths; and to spend time & depth as we build stronger relationships with our mentees—who are also, always our TEAMMATES.

May we always see each one as that unique puzzle piece that has that fitting role that will complete the whole picture.

The whole journey of leadership at work will never be easy,

But I tell you, it is all worth it.

It will all be worth it.

When times get tough,

I hope you can breathe in and breathe out

Look back, and remember the PEOPLE who believed in you and what more you can do.

And in case it’s also a tough thing to remember,

I hope you will remember this writing,

And these very words are from someone who also doubted himself in the past but is now walking in leadership with so much joy!

Dear friend,

I believe in you.

I believe that you will make it through.

There is always sufficient grace for you today.

Go out there, and lead the way!