Want to be an influential leader? - you be your first subordinate
What makes you to accept someone's leadership? You may not get an enrollment for MBA degree from Standford or Warton if you answer this question, but you will surely learn something that is taught in those places. So, let us get back to the question. What makes you to accept someone's leadership? You accept someone's leadership and the directions if you trust that his guidance will benefit you. Now, let us ask the question in the other way - what makes you an acceptable leader? If you are to be a leader and expect the people to walk in the path that you show to them, you need to create trust in them that the path will take them to the right destination. Be it in politics or in corporate world, the toughest task for a leader is to earn this trust and respect from his or her followers and subordinates. This toughest task will be a cake walk for you if you are very much convinced about your decision and committed to the decision that you make. As a leader, you will have the great advantage (or may be the disadvantage) that every act of yours is so closely observed by your subordinates. If you are sincere, so will be the followers of yours; if you are not, so will be the followers.
Not convinced yet? let me ask a few questions now.
You are an employee in a software corporation. What sincerity you will have about cost saving if your CEO gives a mesmerizing speech about importance of saving costs in an event held at the most luxury hotel in the city? You may applaud the speech, but will you apply his thoughts in your day to day life when the CEO himself did not follow it?
How punctual the students of a college will be if the principal who gave a scintillating lecture about punctuality a day ago is seen coming to college an hour late? Will you listen to him when he gives another lecture on time management?
Somewhat convinced? let me ask a few more questions.
How could Mahatma Gandhi mobilize thirty crore people of British India to fight for their freedom in a weaponless struggle against the military super power? How did people accept when he said to respond with the smile for a slap? That too in a country with people of different languages, religions, political affiliations? The only reason is that he was sincere and always practiced what he preached. When he preached simplicity, he cleaned his toilet, cut his hair by himself and roamed around with the ordinary clothes that a poor man in an Indian village wears.
In 9 years, how could Steve Jobs bring Apple Inc's worth more than Dell computer whose CEO in 1997 advised that the troubled Apple Inc better be closed ? How could he influence the employees of the very company that threw him out? How could once a troubled company turn into a very successful firm with the most innovative and popular products in its kitty? Because, When Steve Jobs asked his troops to be innovative, every word of his message was wholeheartedly received and accepted by the employees - not because the person who sent the message was powerful to sack the employee should he not listen to him, but he had 346 patents against his name.
So, do you want to be an influential leader? You be the first subordinate of yourself. Show great respect for each of your words and commitment in each of your deeds.
What makes you to accept someone's leadership? You may not get an enrollment for MBA degree from Standford or Warton if you answer this question, but you will surely learn something that is taught in those places. So, let us get back to the question. What makes you to accept someone's leadership? You accept someone's leadership and the directions if you trust that his guidance will benefit you. Now, let us ask the question in the other way - what makes you an acceptable leader? If you are to be a leader and expect the people to walk in the path that you show to them, you need to create trust in them that the path will take them to the right destination. Be it in politics or in corporate world, the toughest task for a leader is to earn this trust and respect from his or her followers and subordinates. This toughest task will be a cake walk for you if you are very much convinced about your decision and committed to the decision that you make. As a leader, you will have the great advantage (or may be the disadvantage) that every act of yours is so closely observed by your subordinates. If you are sincere, so will be the followers of yours; if you are not, so will be the followers.
Not convinced yet? let me ask a few questions now.
You are an employee in a software corporation. What sincerity you will have about cost saving if your CEO gives a mesmerizing speech about importance of saving costs in an event held at the most luxury hotel in the city? You may applaud the speech, but will you apply his thoughts in your day to day life when the CEO himself did not follow it?
How punctual the students of a college will be if the principal who gave a scintillating lecture about punctuality a day ago is seen coming to college an hour late? Will you listen to him when he gives another lecture on time management?
Somewhat convinced? let me ask a few more questions.
How could Mahatma Gandhi mobilize thirty crore people of British India to fight for their freedom in a weaponless struggle against the military super power? How did people accept when he said to respond with the smile for a slap? That too in a country with people of different languages, religions, political affiliations? The only reason is that he was sincere and always practiced what he preached. When he preached simplicity, he cleaned his toilet, cut his hair by himself and roamed around with the ordinary clothes that a poor man in an Indian village wears.
In 9 years, how could Steve Jobs bring Apple Inc's worth more than Dell computer whose CEO in 1997 advised that the troubled Apple Inc better be closed ? How could he influence the employees of the very company that threw him out? How could once a troubled company turn into a very successful firm with the most innovative and popular products in its kitty? Because, When Steve Jobs asked his troops to be innovative, every word of his message was wholeheartedly received and accepted by the employees - not because the person who sent the message was powerful to sack the employee should he not listen to him, but he had 346 patents against his name.
So, do you want to be an influential leader? You be the first subordinate of yourself. Show great respect for each of your words and commitment in each of your deeds.
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