The world we live in is driven by the thoughts of many great leaders. There are numerous examples every country can boast of - Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, the list is endless.
In recent times, the names of Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg are often quoted amongst the good business leaders. There is much to learn from these personalities, no doubt. However, there are many lesser-known people who continue to make as big a mark on the leadership platform. They are the people who have led from the front, showed exemplary leadership qualities, without any wish to gain social leverage.
As part of our ongoing efforts of leadership transformation through my advisory company In-Unison, we interact with many present and upcoming leaders. During the workshops, almost every time, the discussions get on to one topic - “what is the secret ingredient of leadership in the present era?”
Invariably, I end up concluding “There is no secret ingredient but YOU”. Something as shown and realized by the panda in the movie ‘Kung Fu Panda’. However, in pursuit of our journey of becoming best leaders, what best we can do is to know more and more about successful leaders.
Not to imitate but to enhance our confidence in our own abilities, by knowing that leadership is all about having strong conviction and confidence in your own self, your ideas, and your passion.
Here I present to you, four such individuals:
Chesley Sullenberger
Remember a news report which made headlines in 2009 about how a US Airways flight made a water landing right on the Hudson river in New York? Chesley Sullenberger, or Sully as he is popularly known, was the pilot of the flight. The plane's engines were disabled when a flock of geese hit them.
In spite of the huge risk involved, Sully managed to save the lives of all 155 passengers on board! Isn't that incredible! During his interview with CBS News anchor, he mentioned “My focus at that point was so intensely on the landing...it just took some concentration. I was sure I could do it.”
Learning - Imagine what would have happened if Sully himself had panicked. But he was prepared for the moment. He teaches us to remain calm and composed at all times. Staying in command of the situation is imperative for a leader. Only then can you behave responsibly, ensure the well-being of the team, and in turn, yourself. It is also crucial for a leader not to let stress affect his or her thought process. An extremely important trait for leaders in modern turbulent times.
Dean Nelson
Dean is the owner of Dean's Natural Food Markets. Dean genuinely wants to help people get healthier. Through his chain of stores, he wants to provide the highest-quality organic foods and natural products to the community – for him, the betterment of the community and environment comes before company profits.
He pays a lot of attention to creating a world-class customer experience and his company also supports several local causes. Today, Dean's Natural Food Markets has four stores and employs more than a hundred employees. One of Dean’s favorite quote is, "Opportunities don't fall into your lap, you have to make them. That's called being a leader".
Learning - Follow your passion and strive to realize it. Dean wants to impact more lives to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Consequently, he markets his products in such a way that more consumers are attracted to the lifestyle change. His team completely cooperates with the plans. Thus, even an everyday person can become a good leader for the company's employees if the right management skills are put to use and more importantly, the leaders are driven by passion more than profits.
Penina Shepherd
Who would believe that this woman set up Acumen Business Law firm on a shoestring budget, right in the middle of a recession and a life-threatening illness! Today, the company is a ‘Top 50 Innovative Law Firms in the UK and Europe’. Penina wanted to create a difference in the legal industry and her vision, passion, and innovation have made the firm an incredible success.
Learning - First, there is no getting away from taking risks for a leader. Only that way can you explore opportunities. Second, a clear vision can guide the business for years. A leader needs to provide the same clarity and purpose to all the team members so that the team can work cohesively. It is also important to have faith in your convictions. After all, only the end results speak for the outside world.
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
He was the first Indian army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. His stories of military greatness and valor are, of course, inspiring enough. Apart from being a great decision taker, his other unique quality was his insistence on gaining professional knowledge and competence for true leadership. "Unless you know what you are talking about, unless you understand your profession thoroughly, you can never be a leader. People who are indecisive are so because they lack professional knowledge", he once said.
Learning - Being updated with the latest professional developments is vital. Also, accept full responsibility for your decisions. Your team members need to feel that you support them and only then will they trust you with your decisions. Show moral courage to deal with different situations. Learn to handle pressures, from internal and external factors, without those affecting your ability to think clearly.
Not all leaders are born the way they are. Some even consciously inculcate the necessary habits to better themselves. But that, again, is a sign of true leadership - identifying the lacunae and working to overcome those. Men and women like I mentioned above teach us a lot in life. We can relate to their struggles and that makes them all the more inspiring.
These seemingly simple people display qualities such as honesty (being true to yourself), persistence, and a never-say-die attitude, apart from the typical leadership qualities. Do you know of any such motivating individuals in your everyday life? I would be very keen on knowing their exciting stories!
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Thank you for reading my post. I write about leadership, strategy, and business transformation. If you would like to read my regular posts you can subscribe here. Feel free to connect with me via Twitter at @spbarve. Look forward to some great connections here!