What does leadership mean to me (personally)?

What does then happen on a ship? As it sails the vast ocean the crew of a ship face three distinct scenarios the way I see it: (1) Some days go by really well (2) Some days it has been a lazy, boring day and the final scenario (3) The crew encounters choppy seas or had engine trouble or some crew members feel no drive/motivation to carry on. In general, individuals would say it is the responsibility of that one person the “Captain” to motivate the crew irrespective of how he/she feels but does all credit goes to the captain when any of the above scenarios happen? Alternatively, is it a case of how one crew member raises to the occasion and helps the rest of them storm this troubled times!

To me, the individuals on the ship play collective roles in ensuring they come out feeling achieved something (for the entire crew & themselves) at the end of their journey i.e. when they arrive at their port of destination (POD). Why do they call it the port of destination, is it because it is just a beginning of a new journey? A new something to be achieved when they sail out again into the unknown? I am asking myself what motivates these individuals far away from their homes, families to navigate back into the ocean and possibly the unknown?

Let’s just dwell for a moment about a ship sailing across the blue waters; there are many instruments to guide or give alerts to its crew on external factors which they have no control over, each crewmember have their individual abilities which collectively assist the “Captain” of the ship to reach its POD. So what is leadership? Who is the leader? The Captain or the Crew or all of them Collectively! However, with one person recognised as the Captain of the ship and crew. So the confliction of my perception and beliefs of Leadership continues as I search for a meaning which makes sense to me.

I have been amongst people (in my corporate environment and personal life) who have not only; shared their views, perspectives, perceptions, and made me dream. They have also given me a sense of purpose and when required boosted my confidence to take the next step/try new things, taunted me, applauded me when necessary and made me feel energised. So does leadership beings with small things? I continue to dwell in a state of confliction as I rankle my mind to see if leadership is all about achieving one big thing or doing many small things which nurture the mind, soul, body and every living being around you! In a sense, you are creating your unique identity which distinguishes you from the rest who have found their own or need to find their true self. Does this them mean these individuals then use their skills, privileges which come along with the unique identity to make a difference in the everyday lives of the people/society they belong to!

In Facebook, there is a channel called “TheBetterIndia” I never came across this page for all these years and when away from home I chanced upon it. When I read and saw stories of simple people from rural backgrounds bringing themselves to improve life’s, I feel inspired; I feel ignited with a sense of purpose but what is that purpose I am trying to unravel. What make me then tick as a person? I dwell, and I realise it is raw “Emotions with a purpose”! Are these people then Leader’s? They never care to bask for that title, but yet again people like me feel touched and draw inspiration and look up to them!

These simple people are from very humble backgrounds and have acted against all possible odds which I would also have not faced in my 36 years of life. It motivates me, inspires me to look beyond my surroundings/environment and achieve a “greater good”. I felt as if I had found a calling within me finally but for what Cause? It remains to be answered. Looking back, I think aren’t these people assuming a “Leadership” role? Yes, they are leaders. I wonder what motivates them, guides them and how do they ensure they arrive in the POD which they set out for in life. So at this juncture of my life, I am staring at leadership very differently than I ever used.

I cannot help but think of a child I am surprised my thoughts are driven to this analogy of connecting it to leadership, but the ability of a child many times to achieve want he/she wants against all possible odds is amazing. I am slowly beginning to realise leaders are not born but thrust into a scenario which makes them chase a Cause sometimes with the zeal of a child. Like a child who sees no differences amongst people in its surrounding learns to love unconditionally, the joy which they give but putting a smile on people faces and making people live the moment through the acts they perform.

Does a child not see it as a crusade that allows them to get personally connected with their environment, which makes them feel emotionally connected, know their inner strength which they are learning with every action they do. Their simple actions and characterises/attributes enables a child to reach out quickly to others, is this not what draw us towards a leader! A leader through various actions shares their inner thoughts, feelings, a sense of purpose, opens up to discover themselves and in the process helps a Cause reach its potential destination alongside the people they connect with in the journey. I say potential destination…it may not be the one they started out to achieve, but the one they all decide to achieve given the journey they all endured…being flexible, they adapt and see beyond the dreams dreamt. The actions collectively channelled enables them to exceed the dreams envisaged by a leader or achieve the dream which is more suited for present day reality/practicality.

It seems as a leader needs to channel all their energies unconditionally. The unravelling of common beliefs, common dreams which people share with one other and the ability to bring all of them together by kindling that Raw Nerve that awakens a sleeping giant within them (the people) to transform themselves in an instant to achieving something collectively. The AWAKENING of one’s senses that nature has given all beings…Individuals who at times reach the highest state of consciousness…NIRVANA i.e. to me its enlightenment for a Purpose (Cause) to touch people’s lives with a sense of belonging, I believe makes real leaders. These individuals are seen as leaders as they reach out by calling to people with similar purposes which they all have in common. At a time like a child I have seen, the leader must have undying focus, dedication and many times chase it even when people around you say it not possible and doubt.

The undying passion for what they want to achieve and believe in. Does a child not make it a mission to keep trying (many times). Even when they (child) falls, starts to cry uncontrollably the parents/mature individual comes a with a skill to help the child overcome that moment console them. Are these people not also leaders guiding the child in its moment of need. In the next few minutes (most times) the child gets right back up, applies the lesson learnt practically to try again. So inherently their brains seem to know not to give up but use what has been learnt…do a course correction via actions with confidence which perplexes even parents. An attitude of look beyond and overcome the limitations of the environment and self. A child brings that undying reserve of energy to keep trying trying and trying till they succeed… and how they define their success for themselves is on their terms. A message to people around them saying this is how I see success/failure as. It was simply amazing and astonishing to watch and learn from them.

I feel leadership is all about the Cause of righteousness. I say righteousness because those are the real test of an individual’s character who is going to lead. Baptism by fire for such individuals to test their resolve and preparedness for the long-term endurance of a Cause. This has made me recall the words of the former Indian President Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam in a speech at the EU in 2007 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77dnIEBYC2Y).

“I am a world citizen and every citizen is my kith and kin” does this not mean the leader needs to have a sense of belonging which I explained before and “…As we say in India where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character; when there is beauty in the character there is harmony in the home; when there is harmony in the home there is order in the nation; when there is order in the nation there is peace in the world…”. Is this not one of the primary attribute which draws us to a leader with whom we connect.

Note the Cause is all that matters, the Cause needs to be achieved irrespective about the individuals who come or go through the journey it endures. Does the Cause pick a leader or is it that one person who comes along and gives the Cause the voice it needs, i.e. heeds its calling? So when I hear the whisper, do I become a leader assume a leadership role for that Cause? I guess I do as I see simple person hearing the whisper and chasing it to turn it into a reality. The whisper is the calling which goes on to transform simple individuals over time from a “Chrysalis into a beautiful butterfly”.

Though I still feel conflicted on how I should answer what does leadership mean to me, as there are various attributes of leadership which I need to discover. I would not know what leadership means to me until I can hear it whispering to me, comes calling to me and touches my next Raw Nerve. I have all these conflictions and clarity at the same time in my mind right now. It feels as if I am under constant chaos but with a sense of purpose. I need to unravel more as an individual to define an accurate picture of what leadership means to me personally. As of now, the elements mentioned above are one aspect of leadership for me. The image of leadership I see as jigsaw puzzle waiting to be unravelled by putting its little pieces one by one together. When all the different pieces have come together to show the beautiful picture, it hides I will know what leadership means to me as a person.