ABOUT LEADERSHIP

Every leader plays several qualified roles. Let’s look at five of them:
1. Professional
First of all, most leaders are professionals in some field. However, to justify
and build one’s leadership status on the basis of professional training only, is
a mistake. Such an approach leads to jealousy about one’s prestige,
departmentalization and the need to assert oneself because others’
competencies represent a threat to the leader’s position. Above all, leaders
who build their position upon professional competence only must, sooner or
later, face their “best-before date”.
2. Leader
A leader’s foremost asset is his/her own personality, not his/her profession.
This is because leadership is about leading others, involving them, filling them
with enthusiasm, setting goals, making decisions and using endurance,
capacity for analytical thinking, capacity for strategic thinking and one’s ability
to communicate. A leader sets standards, limits, gives latitude and freedom,
supports cooperation and dialogue, fills others with energy and fosters
motivation to grow.
3. Developer
Another part of leadership involves developing others, creating space for
talented individuals and identifying and coaching those who are willing and
able to grow. Leadership also involves a responsibility for developing the
organization and ways of working. A good leader should not only focus on
what is achieved but also on how it is done.
4. Businessman / Woman
Irrespective of the type of enterprise, all leaders are businessmen or women.
Because all leaders are in charge of resources and must be able to manage
them in a businesslike manner.
5. Head and Representative of the Organization
A leader is a resource for his/her own boss and shares responsibility with
peers for the organization’s success and sustainability. A leader represents
the organization and shares accountability for products and services,
subordinates, public welfare, organizational image, safety and environment.

To summarize, a ”leader” is someone who plays a number of different but

interrelated roles: as a professional, as a leader, as a developer, as a businessman/-
woman, and as a head of as well as a representative for the organization.