There’s a common misconception that a leader is one who has a high-ranking position in an organization or a certain status in life. Consequently, those who reach a certain rank or position have the illusion that they are important and mighty, which inflates their egos giving them a false sense of superiority over those they lead. However, does position or status alone make one a true leader?
Being a true leader is about helping and serving others, and not bossing people around. Your position or status in life doesn’t matter. People will be attracted to you and want to follow you because of who you are as a person and how you make them feel rather than the position you hold. As the late Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Whether you are a high-ranking official or you are in an unofficial leadership role, it takes patience and understanding when dealing with people. It’s important to be compassionate and find out what makes people ‘tick’ to really appreciate and grasp where they are coming from. Remember, you may be a leader but you are still a human being, an individual who has similar fears, thoughts, problems, desires, weaknesses and problems in life as everyone else. Therefore, the more you put yourself in the other person’s place, the more understanding you will be. And, when you treat people with respect, in return you will earn theirs.
It’s very easy, and, at times tempting, to get swept away by the authority that comes with a leadership role. You ask and you receive. People fear your position and always want to please you because you have the power to get them in trouble. But it’s essential to set aside the power you may have because of your position, park your ego at the door, and focus on how you can lead with compassion. Mahatma Gandhi said “Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.”
It’s essential to think carefully before you open your mouth and say things that may hurt others. You cannot take back unkind words, once spoken. It’s best to listen in an effort to understand, instead of making assumptions or judging. Work on your self-awareness and focus within to find areas in which you can better yourself. Focus on your behaviors and see how you can become a better person and a blessing to those you around helping and supporting them instead of controlling, manipulating or trying to change others to suit your needs. That’s what will make you a true leader!
Read more about how to lead with your heart and earn the respect, loyalty and trust of your team as a leader in the book “POWER vs. Heart in Leadership.”