12. LEADERSHIP
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Sujit Mukerji
The desire to lead is fairly
common. However high sounding and glamorous it may seem, the connotation
‘leadership’ does not at all mean having one’s own way. That would be imposing
oneself. Such an attitude is self-defeating. Nobody wants to be bullied. Hence,
such an approach is surely to result in a total failure in so far as leadership
is concerned. There would be no follower in such cases barring, of course, the
meek and small-time-gain-seekers.
To be able to speak, one has
to listen first. To be able to write, one has to read first. Likewise, to be
able to lead, one has to follow first. So, to be a good leader, we are asked to
be a good follower.
Leadership entails certain
elements that are conducive to the attainment of a common objective: leadership
implies a group, a team. So, a good leader will keep all his team members in
mind. The incumbent factors will, therefore, be everything that will give the
team members a sense of belonging. It is almost the role of a good guardian.
All the members’ opinions, likes, dislikes, requirements will be taken into
account by the leadership.
A good leader need not be
superior in every way. However, he must have the discerning eye and should be
able to spot each individual’s unique capabilities. He should also be able to
draw them out and use them for the benefit of everyone. A good leader will know
what the requirements are and how to meet them, what his resources are and
when, where and how to tap them. He will know how to get things done. He will
know how to keep all resources together. His team members will be happy working
for and with him. He will be far-sighted and fore-sighted.
Last but not the least, on
one hand, he will deserve the credit for getting things done and, as a good
leader, he will “distribute” the credit amongst his team mates: giving each his
due and even rewarding them. While on the other hand, he must take the blame
for failures. In the latter case, if he is a good leader, he will try to mend
things by examining the causes and taking appropriate measures. Not just that,
he will also see that the morale of his team mates stays high.
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