Loyalty. A word that measures a person’s inclination to do good—for them or their organisation, family, company or country. This word encapsulates in it the very essence of leadership. One must wonder and argue about the meaning of leadership.
Is it the way a person governs their followers? Is it the way one completes tasks at hand, or is it the commitment to the cause one is pursuing in their personal and professional capacity? Loyalty stems from a person’s ability to be loyal to themselves, be devoted to their friends and professional acquaintances, be faithful to their society and community, be true to their city, be devoted to their province, and be steadfast to their country.
Loyalty and leadership have a delicate relationship. A leader can be loyal to a cause that is against the greater good—by being loyal to immoral means—a case we observe across the world. Such a leader works for their cause and vested interests. They are not loyal to their stakeholders: people, organisation, nation—for they are not working for the greater good. Leaders who are loyal to their cause, people, and nation remain connected to the needs of their people. This becomes the purpose of their lives.
What exactly is leadership? Is it a thought, a calling, or a lifestyle? It is a vision to be good, do good, and plan for the betterment of the people and society. What is a vision?
Farhad Karamally, a thought leader and an organisational leadership consultant, shares that vision is created when one reads, thinks and converses. He opines that vision is manifested when people are encouraged to become aware of themselves and their surroundings. Indeed, the vision of a better tomorrow begins when a person learns from the shortcomings of yesterday. When one corrects their past, they rectify their present and build a better future. Leaders have made mistakes but they learn from their errors and vow to overcome their inadequacies. They pay their dues and make efforts to help others achieve their dreams and true potential.
A leader, therefore, is not born nor created. A follower eventually turns into a leader. This occurs when the follower dares to be curious, acts over and above the self, remains loyal to the cause, and is a lifelong learner. A leader is someone who can predict the future, can sacrifice for personal and collective gains, can understand the needs of the many, and has the mental acumen to make tough decisions.
Leaders must evolve with changing times and should become a better version of who they were yesterday. They have to keep updating their grey matter by reading, listening, and conversing—three skills that empower a person to look beyond the ordinary and question their potential. If leaders do not remain learners, they will envelop themselves in their mediocre existence and fade away.
Is it the way a person governs their followers? Is it the way one completes tasks at hand, or is it the commitment to the cause one is pursuing in their personal and professional capacity? Loyalty stems from a person’s ability to be loyal to themselves, be devoted to their friends and professional acquaintances, be faithful to their society and community, be true to their city, be devoted to their province, and be steadfast to their country.
Loyalty and leadership have a delicate relationship. A leader can be loyal to a cause that is against the greater good—by being loyal to immoral means—a case we observe across the world. Such a leader works for their cause and vested interests. They are not loyal to their stakeholders: people, organisation, nation—for they are not working for the greater good. Leaders who are loyal to their cause, people, and nation remain connected to the needs of their people. This becomes the purpose of their lives.
What exactly is leadership? Is it a thought, a calling, or a lifestyle? It is a vision to be good, do good, and plan for the betterment of the people and society. What is a vision?
Farhad Karamally, a thought leader and an organisational leadership consultant, shares that vision is created when one reads, thinks and converses. He opines that vision is manifested when people are encouraged to become aware of themselves and their surroundings. Indeed, the vision of a better tomorrow begins when a person learns from the shortcomings of yesterday. When one corrects their past, they rectify their present and build a better future. Leaders have made mistakes but they learn from their errors and vow to overcome their inadequacies. They pay their dues and make efforts to help others achieve their dreams and true potential.
A leader, therefore, is not born nor created. A follower eventually turns into a leader. This occurs when the follower dares to be curious, acts over and above the self, remains loyal to the cause, and is a lifelong learner. A leader is someone who can predict the future, can sacrifice for personal and collective gains, can understand the needs of the many, and has the mental acumen to make tough decisions.
Leaders must evolve with changing times and should become a better version of who they were yesterday. They have to keep updating their grey matter by reading, listening, and conversing—three skills that empower a person to look beyond the ordinary and question their potential. If leaders do not remain learners, they will envelop themselves in their mediocre existence and fade away.