Sometimes when I dig deep into a few basic realities, I find that how foolish it has been for us just to blindly imitate or follow certain statements which many intellectuals have been coming up with from time to time. Let me also make it clear that I am in no way calling out their statements as wrong or false, all I want to say is that we don’t try to work on their statements and try to coin our own statements. One of the greatest virtues of the human life is leadership. The understanding or misunderstandings of this is the cause of all the difference that has come over in our life. If we understand it we move into light and if we misunderstand it we become meek followers and create graves of darkness for ourselves. To elaborate my statements I would like to bring in a few conversational encounters with some learned people that I had. 

Once during a discussion with a professor of Sociology, I asked him how he would define leadership. I was expecting a very prompt and crisp answer from him. But he started, “according to Allen leadership is………………

I kept gazing at his face and then said, “That is fine, I have read that but what is your take on leadership.”

He then tried to explain to me about Allen’s definition on leadership. Then he also told about what Terry has defined about leadership. To make himself more authentic he also quoted Secker- Hudson’s definition.

I found the man was just beating around the Bush and did not have a simple one line definition of leadership which he could quote as his own. That was the breakeven point at which I thought discussing that matter with that man was useless. He can argue for hour about what others have said but has nothing of his own to say.

Now friends, in my career as a teacher and mentor to many students, my endeavour has always been to teach the students through analysis. We need not disrespect anybody but we should not take anything on its face value. All of us are genuinely reasonable and so we need to analyze the statement of others and come up with simple definitions.

For example it I have to define leadership as, “The virtue by which one brings in faith, belief and trust about oneself in others and motivates them constructively, is leadership.” People may agree with my definition or may disagree, that is fine, but I am contented because I am able to define leadership in my own way.

This attitude will always enable you to create new paths and ways for yourself and your companions.  And automatically bring in new dimensions of leadership qualities in you. Believe me my friend once you start developing these qualities in yourself then even the Al-mighty will not be able to hinder your growth. But while you develop these qualities do not become obstinate because obstinacy will kill your analytical power. 

Further one more advice I would like to share (you can ignore it if you feel it is not worth) whenever you are asked about your favorite leaders, before naming the greats ( whom everybody knows) try to find one among yourself. That will be the starting point from where a real change will come in you. If you can nurture it properly  with intelligence and knowledge then in near future you can easily become a global leader and then the whole world  will be chirping your definition on leadership, as today we chirp what others have defined .

Wish you all the best to progress and lead the world with your leadership qualities.      

                                                        …………..Anupam