Where ever there are people, just two or two million or more, 2 traits automatically come into play; Leadership and Management.\u00a0 Until a few decades ago, leadership was a term used only in the context of military at all levels from junior most to the chiefs of forces of a country and mega level political echelons; examples being Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln etc.\u00a0 Elsewhere, in non-military professions, they generally spoke more about management.\u00a0 The difference between the two is vast.\u00a0 Leaders have people who follow them, but\u00a0 managers have people who simply work for them. Management aims at achieving a given objective using the team and resources.\u00a0 Leadership is a much larger field of which management is only a small part.\u00a0 Leadership is about leading people.<\/p>\n
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Loyalty to the people one leads and their well being becomes as important as the objective, if not more. \u00a0In leadership, a leader cares for his people and their welfare, like parents care for their children and at times even more. \u00a0In the recent times, the non-military professions; especially the corporate world \u00a0have also been attracted to the concept and practice of leadership in a much bigger way. \u00a0Much has been written about leadership and in the recent years also about the corporate leadership. \u00a0Training in leadership has become an all together a new field and a recognized profession. \u00a0All the leadership qualities like integrity, accountability, empathy, resilience, vision, positivity, selflessness, passion, personal example, professional excellence, trust, transparency, rewarding the merit, moral courage and many more are often talked and written about. \u00a0However, in the following paragraphs, I like to share just \u00a03 most important leadership qualities based on my personal experiences from my years in the military and my second innings as a corporate thinker and trainer.<\/p>\n
For a few years, I was involved in designing and conducting workshops for the Tata Management Development Centre in Jamshedpur. \u00a0During my very first visit, I was keen to visit their Centre for Excellence. \u00a0As I entered the hall, the most prominent quote on the wall was of JRD Tata, \u201cTo be a great leader, you must love your people.\u201d He believed that one has to lead people with affection. \u00a0Later, at a crossing, I saw a bust of JRD. And it was amazing to see many people passing by on motor cycles stopping there, bowing their head and saluting his bust. \u00a0He was worshipped while he lived and even now. \u00a0And his achievements as a business man were phenomenal. \u00a0So, love is the core of great leadership irrespective of the field or profession. \u00a0Most of the leadership traits automatically flow out of love for one\u2019s people.<\/p>\n
I feel \u2018Personal Example\u2019 comes next. Do not demand from people you lead more than what you will do or have done in given circumstances. \u00a0You set a personal example and people will follow you unquestioningly. They will even overlook some of your shortcomings. \u00a0Such is the power of personal example. \u00a0So, don\u2019t be easy upon yourself as a leader. \u00a0And remember, you cannot fool people. If you try, sooner or later you will be found out for sure and then people will despise you. \u00a0Field Marshal Rommel, the famous German leader of World War II said, \u201cEven the smartest General cannot fool the most \u00a0dumb soldier.\u201d It applies in all professions.<\/p>\n
Next is \u201cProfessional Excellence\u201d. \u00a0In military parlance we say, \u201c Nobody likes to follow a bum\u201d. \u00a0You must be good in your chosen profession. \u00a0People will respect you and follow you . \u00a0And when your \u00a0people look up to you in crisis or challenging times, you should not be found wanting. \u00a0And willingly take responsibility if things go wrong.<\/p>\n
I like to close with a quote of Lao Tzu (6th century B.C.) , \u201cOf a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will all say, \u2018We did it ourselves\u2019. \u00a0A leader is best when people barely know that he exists. \u00a0Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. \u00a0Worst when they despise him.\u201d<\/p>\n