As we move through life there are some encounters which we have almost forgotten before they have begun whilst others, fleeting though they may be, stay with us long after the initial encounter has passed. One such encounter was a quote from John Donahoe, currently PayPal Chairman, on the subject of leadership:
“Leadership is a journey, not a destination. It is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a process, not an outcome.”
Why is this quote so important? Quite simply, because it encapsulates the importance of the journey not only towards leadership but within leadership itself. Whether you think that leaders are born or made, whether somebody has some natural predisposition towards leadership or not; anyone who thinks that they can simply step into a leadership role without any training or any personal development is someone who totally misunderstands the concept and nature of true leadership.
Of course, if you think that leadership is simply a matter of barking out orders and expect them to be obeyed without thought or question then maybe you don’t need any training. But in all honesty you won’t have a job for very long either, particularly in today’s workplace which values collaboration and empowerment over rigid structure and autocracy.
Where does true leadership start?
So where does true leadership start? It could be argued that within any organisation, leadership starts from the moment an employee sets foot through the door, or perhaps even before that at the recruitment process itself. You see, it is one of the key roles of the leader to help their people to develop and every action and interaction brings an opportunity.
Just think back to some of the encounters which you have had throughout your business career. Did you work for an organisation which was welcoming and encouraging or one which was hierarchical and rule-bound? Did you work for a team leader who instructed you to do what you are told without question or one who was happy to explain and help you develop your personal understanding? Was training confined to necessary process or did it is lean towards helping you to broaden your abilities and become more self reliant?
Leadership is a journey and it is one which embraces a lifelong commitment to learning and self improvement. The more we learn, the more possibilities we see and the greater potential we have to help others to develop their own leadership aptitudes. Yes, it can be difficult when shareholders are clamouring for results and colleagues are demanding instant answers to ‘the problem of the day’ but the moment we step away from leading is the moment at which we not only let ourselves but our colleagues and our organisations down.
If you want to help people to become the leaders of the future then as leaders you have to live up to the five practices of exemplary leaders including enabling others to act and encouraging the heart. More importantly, you have to model the way; to help people to develop and learn and to inspire through your own example. And that means not sitting back, not accepting the status quo but always looking to learn, always seeking to improve skills and personal qualities; in other words enriching your personal journey through leadership in order to help others to develop in their turn.
