It is impossible to be all things to all people, especially if one is to maintain his personal integrity, and also be true to himself. One of the most important things for someone considering leadership is to introspectively examine one’s true motives and intents, and decide both what one wants to accomplish/ achieve, as well as to decide on a viable course of action to get there. Ralph Waldo Emerson described this perfectly in these words, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Indeed, it is often no easy task to be able to wrestle one’s demons, and do the right thing instead of the expedient one. A true leader is successful, not only because of what he able to achieve, but how he goes about getting there, as well as his motivations and intents.
1. Unfortunately, in far too many cases, leaders remain politicians instead of statesmen. They sell out their intents and ideals (if they began as well intentioned), and simply do the popular or politically expedient thing. In my over three decades of discovering, qualifying, training and consulting to over a thousand leaders, I have come to cherish the rare individual who is led by his moral compass, as opposed to the masses that are led by taking polls, and seeking to pacify the pulse of those he meets. Leadership is never about having no guiding agenda, because without a reason for leading, how can one lead? One’s personal ethical and moral code must be the guiding beacon, to assure that decisions are made with pureness of intent. The one thing a leader must consider is whether his actions align with his viable vision, and he remains true to that purpose.
2. How do you know if you are being true to yourself? Before you consider a leadership position, a responsible and potentially great leader asks himself a few essential questions: a) Why are you considering leadership? b) Why are you the best qualified for the position? c) Is this about vision and commitment, or based on ego gratification? d) What would you like to accomplish? e) What is your plan? f) Are you willing to put others first, and consider what’s best for the organization as the primary moving part? g) Will you expand your comfort zone, and do things that are necessary to accomplish your goals? h) Will you stick to your guns, if you think it’s the best course of action, even if it may not be the popular way to go?
A leader must be true to himself and maintain absolute integrity, both to himself and with others? Are you ready to be that type of leader?