Whenever leadership is discussed, terms like:
- Visionary
- Inspires
- Focuses on people
- Change agent
- Strategic Thinker
- Creative
- Fierce Conversationalist
- Committed
- Disciplined
- And we can go on…
are brought up as desired character traits. All the character traits of leadership you deem important are and can be developed regardless of your natural inclinations. Because the list of traits is so long a leader needs to be committed to being a lifelong learner.
What I’m realizing is that developing all the character traits of a good leader without having the sincere concern for people (not the company) is wasted effort. When I’ve encountered people who’ve risen to high positions or can woo a crowd but don’t have a sincere desire to help people I get the same feeling when I admire a pretty plant in a building only to find out it’s a wonderful silk imitation. Silk plants are constructed but have no life. A true leader, will grow and have the ability to self-replicate. A true leader wants to birth new leaders. The seed of leadership is love for people – this includes yourself.
Oh! It IS disappointing to admire a fake plant – good analogy! You're absolutely right: A true leader will self-replicate, but a 'silk plant' leader won't… because… well, he can't. He's fake.
Thanks April! It's interesting to watch 2 leaders do the exact same thing and get different results. I believe the heart condition is the reason why!