We must acknowledge that leaders are not born but made, and leadership is a choice
In the yesteryears, leaders were thought of as authoritarian individuals who made unilateral decisions and were known as strict disciplinarians and monitors. They were viewed as people who knew it all, people who could not make mistakes and were not allowed to make mistakes. There was very little scope for feedback or expressing opinions; it was clear that the directions came from the top and were followed by the people at the bottom. All the planning was done by the leader and its execution by the subordinates. One was expected to only submit to the people in the position of authority if they wanted to do well in their career and keep their job at the end of the day.
This unilateral relationship was thought to be one of reverence but in reality was driven by fear.
However, over the last few decades, the role of leaders and how leadership is viewed underwent a paradigm shift. Leaders are now looked at as people who have weaknesses and strengths like everyone else; they are seen as people who are learning and evolving each day; they don’t ‘know-it-all.’ They are not seen as people on the top but as people walking shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues, though taking more responsibilities than the collective. We have learned to see them as ‘humans’ who have emotions and feelings with the liberty to express themselves. Today, the job of a leader is not limited to doing their task; leaders are people who bring out leadership skills in others and build leaders around them.
Leaders mentor people around them rather than ‘boss them around’. In fact, leaders are encouraged to get reverse-mentored by youngsters so that they can learn more about the new technologies and trends shaping the world.
Contrary to the earlier viewpoints, leaders are expected to be open to feedback; they must embrace questions and criticisms and be open to change and drive it. But, most importantly, they are considered people-oriented individuals who need to go beyond their role of focusing on business metrics and looking at how people around them are finding the work culture. Today’s Leaders are empathetic; they listen more and talk less; they listen to understand, not respond. They are the torchbearers of culture for their organisation.
MD & CEO
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance
There was a time when failure was seen as a sign of weakness; a leader was only supposed to win. But if you think about it, is that even humanly possible? The answer is no; even the most successful leaders have made mistakes, failed at times, and made wrong decisions. However, today, this perspective has undergone a sea change; it is okay to make mistakes and fail. What matters today is how quickly and efficiently you bounce back! We acknowledge that leaders are not born but made, and leadership is a choice. You make that choice by moving out of your comfort zone, taking risks, identifying gaps, and delivering solutions to fill those gaps. The journey towards leadership begins when someone puts themselves in uncomfortable positions, exposes themselves to the unknown, and questions the status quo. Leadership is a journey where you keep learning, unlearning and experimenting; it is not a destination.
It will be interesting to see how this role evolves in the future. With the unprecedented rise of technology and data-driven decision-making, leaders must navigate uncharted territories with sensitivity. Simultaneously, the global spotlight on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion will demand more conscientious leadership. I believe leadership will become a harmonious fusion of compassion and humanity, driving innovation and progress!
