12. LEADERSHIP

                                                                             - 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.