Leadership is one of the most misunderstood aspects of our lives, especially among once colonized and subjugated peoples. Because of a poor or misconstrued understanding of leadership, we mistake people in positions of authority for leaders. But is leadership about positional authority really?
In this article, I sought to define leadership in a way that restores its true essence and image. I deliberately chose definition by contrast in an attempt to dispel the misrepresentations and misconceptions, as well as unveil the truth we are all meant to live out and share in.
What Leadership Is Not
What Leadership Is
Leadership is not a job, a role, or a position.
Leadership is a way of being and living. It is intentionally expressing well-defined personal values and standards and helping others bring forth and live out theirs.
Leadership is not about power, authority, or control over others. It is not about being in charge.
Leadership is empowerment. Empowering yourself in service of others and empowering others serve at their highest level of capability.
The fundamental character of a leader is service. If one is not serving, they are not leading. Service is the essence of leadership.
Leadership is not a privilege
Leadership is a duty and an obligation that life places on all who live. It’s a responsibility we must take to express the best within us.
Leadership is not delegating tasks or responsibilities to others
Leadership is taking and bearing responsibility. Leadership is helping others fulfill their responsibilities and ensuring that they grow in the process to become the best versions of themselves.
Leadership is not nobility, aristocracy, or something you achieve by attaining an achievement
Leadership is a birthright. We were born to be a leader; to lead in an area of gifting, strength and ability. We must explore, discover and develop our capacity to lead.
Leadership is not giving speeches, standing on stages, taking credit for success, or being in the spotlight
Leadership is immersing yourself in the circumstances and environments of those you serve (lead). It is intentionally getting to know their struggles, pains, joys, and aspirations.
Leadership is not about making big moves, big deals, starting big initiatives, winning projects or contracts.
Leadership is doing the right thing even when it is hard, and no one is watching. Sometimes that means taking the unpopular road, the choosing a difficult present in pursuit of a better future.
Leadership is not people following you or listening when you speak
Leadership is submitting yourself to an ideal or a standard that the people you lead aspire to and upholding that ideal above self-interest, comfort, and convenience.
Leadership is not success
Leadership is the highest and truest expression of yourself. It is following a great vision, adhering to high values, standards, and excellence.
Leadership is not separation from and isolation from the lives of those you lead. It is not sitting on a higher plane and ruling your followers.
Leadership is immersion into the lives of those being led. It is being in touch with the realities on the ground and seeking to understand first.
Leadership is not acting in the way some organization wants you to act. Doing their bidding and meeting their goals.
Leadership is being true to yourself, living out your highest values in any situation without supervision. Authenticity is the highest form of self-respect every leader must embody. It is the mark of leadership.
Same Task, AI Insight
After I finished my reflection and writing on this topic, I thought, “let me see how ChatGPT would have done it,” so I asked it to provide its answer in a table, similar to what I’d done. Here is ChatGPT’s version
What Leadership Is Not
What Leadership Is
A position or title
A responsibility and act of influence
Controlling others
Empowering others
Having all the answers
Asking the right questions and listening well
Demanding loyalty
Earning trust through service and integrity
Being the loudest voice
Creating space for others to speak and shine
Commanding from the top
Leading by example
Acting out of ego or pride
Acting with humility and purpose
Seeking personal gain
Pursuing the greater good
Avoiding tough decisions
Making courageous and ethical choices
Leading only in good times
Staying through crises and change
Neat, isn’t it? It almost looks like a summary of my thoughts. But the two writers didn’t share notes at all. I would admit it captured some of the thoughts I missed. So, consider the two tables as explaining and complementing each other.
The pursuit of a mission
The reason I reflect a lot on “What is leadership” is that at Leader Upp, we have a mission to awaken, amplify, and democratize authentic leadership consciousness, mindsets, convictions, and competencies. Read more https://leaderupp.com/about/
To do this, we must debunk the many myths and misconceptions around leadership. There are a lot of things that happen around people in authority (generally presumed to be leaders) that warp and distort the essence of leadership.
We are committed to returning to the basis and first principles of leadership, and with God’s help, we will do that. “What really is leadership?” will remain a question we will not stop exploring. Afterall, we believe asking questions is more important than having answers.
