Leadership is not about winning the pack

It seems to be a highly shaming misunderstanding on what, who, where, when, and why leaders must be responsible, thoughtful, considerate, and an accountable for their actions. Simple, leaders must be accountable, considerable, unselfish, caring, and bias free, who makes decisions in facts, and not opinions. They know how to speak and express themselves because they speak from the heart.

What might be a magnanimous confusion on the characteristics of leaders or what leaders should be, the basic literature indicates that leaders should never lead by fear, or enhance disappointments, or give their backs to the one’s in needs, or misuse their power and glory to feed their own narcissistic, egocentric, conceited-ego, overlooking the much-needed help offer by highly scholarly intellectual others surrounding them. That is a threat to a democratic environment and people’s rights.

Leaders who are conscious, thoughtful, cautious, and vigilant, who care for everyone, and not just the group surrounding them takes responsibility for their actions. No one has to explain, justify, or rationalize their behavior. Leaders do not seek someone else to blame for their actions; they take responsibility. Leaders are born to help others and those around them. They protect others and lead finding solutions. Great leaders are humble, think about others, are responsible for their actions, and are emotionally intelligent.

Being a leader to for the purpose of feeding one’s ego is as toxic and addictive as consuming the worst of the drugs. Being a leader “just because” some sort of mighty territorial power is as dangerous as any type of addiction and lack of control. Leaders must be truthful. They must understand the difference between opinions, perceptions, and evidence-based facts.

Leadership is not about winning the pack. Leadership is about leading the pack without fear, distress, or anxiety, providing reliance and security. A leader does not always have to come ahead first. Sometimes, great leaders have to step back so they could be prepared for the greater jump.

Iberkis Faltas, PhD, (ABD)
Public Policy and Administration
Management and Leadership | Law and Policy
Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach