What It Means To Be A Leader
By Joshua D. Glawson
Leadership is a title that many people claim to have yet show very little of it in their philosophy or action. It has been a title of recognition given to people simply for their rank or tenure within an organization, for those that say the “right” things, or those that are successful in their field. Where these might be particular qualities or outcomes of some great leaders, this is not what ‘leadership’ is.
In order to understand what makes an efficacious leader, we must understand its definition. To lead is to conduct; guide; cause to go with oneself; march at the head of, go before as a guide, accompany and show the way; carry on; sprout forth, bring forth.
There are three key components of leadership and those are as follows:
- Consider
- Empower
- Conduct
The first element of leadership is to consider. This consideration is for the capabilities, knowledge, and potential that an individual brings. It tends to possess a consideration of the circumstances, working environment, obstacles, or opportunities. Leadership is more than considering human capital. To consider, as a leader does, is to consider both the internal and external factors at play within and around the individual that the leader is prepared to lead. This does not require in-depth understanding of the other person, but enough to consider what inspires them, what motivates them, how to teach them, and how to understand their perspective.
The second element of leadership is to empower. This empowering is not only for the leader to empower themselves through constant growth within their field, but it is to find ways of empowering the led to become more capable of achieving success on their own. Empowerment is more than giving away the tools of success, teaching, or giving someone a particular title, it is empowering a person to become autonomously successful in their position.
Empowerment often requires that a leader know the field well enough to assist with others’ success, but it is not necessary. Leaders who empower others have most likely been successful in their field, but this is also not necessary. In fact, some of the best within a field have poor leadership habits, subpar teaching capabilities, and lack interpersonal communication and intrapersonal communication skills. Which is, of course, not to say they are incapable of learning or becoming great leaders.
The third element of leadership is to conduct, much like conducting an orchestra. In the place of instruments is each member of the symphony as a person with their own task. Where there is lack in one section, there is support in another. This equally requires the leader to persistently conduct themselves most appropriately, in order to gain the most out of their conducting of others.
