Lead without Title

I borrowed the title from a well known author/philosopher Robin S. Sharma. Though this phrase is very simple to read and understand, it has a profound meaning. All of us here realize and recognize great leaders. But we seldom question why they have come to be called that way. We read their books, but fail to analyze the process or the work done which had got them to their righteous place. We idolize them, but fail to follow their values. We speak eloquently about them, but miss the point that they have done something good and we are yet to do any. Why? In this short message, I will try to find the answer, along with you.

When I started reading the books of Robin Sharma, it struck a chord with me. I wasn’t able to find out the reason for it at that time, but I realized it later. Every great leader or philosopher has a way of influencing you. If you find truth in what is said or written, you take to it immediately. Our mind is primed in such a way that only necessary information that we want enters and stays there. Everything else is volatile.

So, how does a normal person become a noteworthy personality? How is he/she different from all of us? The answer is, they aren’t. They aren’t different physically or anatomically, but they are very different mentally. I’m not implying that they are all insane people, but they are achievers in every sense of the word. They have a dream which is nurtured into a vision and that vision is fuelled by their ambition. Ambition to start something, sustain it and get big.

All of us have these qualities within. But first we need to understand what we are capable of. Good leaders know what they are capable of. They understand and recognize that the best possible way to make people work for them is to make them buy into their vision. How do they go about doing it? How can they make people understand what they want? Simple, they connect.

We all watch a great deal of movies - comedy, thriller, action and emotional films. But when is a movie a hit? The obvious fact is that the movie should set the cash registers ringing. Otherwise the pundits will call it a drab; others will call it a flop. But the less obvious question is how the cash registers roll in. Some people watch the movie many times. Others play it in their minds many times. But the fact remains that we love seeing the movie. Why? The person who made the movie was able to connect with the audience. He/She was able to make them laugh, cry or even made them feel like heroes during the course of the movie. Most of all he made you buy into the theme of his/her film. This is exactly what good and more importantly great leaders do.

How do you connect? Pick a wire, wind one side on your head and the other to whom you want to connect. Try this and come back when you’re done!!! A bit of humor, I suppose. We generally hear people say, that leaders are made, not born. It’s a craft which is nurtured over time by practice. Similarly, to connect to the audience, is an art which needs practice. You may not get it right the first time, but you will indeed when you make it a habit.

To connect to a person, you need to articulate well. There is an adage which says, “Listen to understand and then speak to be understood”. You need to understand what people want and then tell them how they can attain their dreams by working towards your vision. This is easily said than done. But nothing in this world is easy. Otherwise all of us would’ve been noteworthy personalities by now. But the beauty is to try and succeed.

A title need not be given to you in order to lead. Take the mantle, and gallop in the direction of your vision. Leading does not mean that we need to assign daily tasks to your colleagues. It might be as simple as helping someone in the time of distress. You show the path to success. All the more, you have a responsibility to shine.

I hope that this short message might have a positive influence on the way you think and act. It is just a starter before a great meal. Read the books of people whom you like and their greatness will rub off on you.