THE COST OF LEADERSHIP: An Advice to Young Leaders

Life is always about moving forward, whether we choose to dwell in the sidelines or take charge of what we are meant to do. Yet, there will be times in our lives when we have to step up and take charge over a project, a group of people, or an objective that can help uplift many lives. 

One day, as an aspiring leader, you may find yourself leading a group of people toward a common goal. You may also be a current leader looking how to effect change with your team. I would like to share some thoughts and ideas on what being a leader is like. I hope as you read these thoughts, you may consider them in your journey as a leader.

Leadership is not entirely about your ideals; it's also about how your ideals reflect your actions. Although people have different perspectives and points of view, leadership is about how to transform these ideals into action. Circumstances or elections don't call for you as a leader just because you can get things done, but because people see that your actions are motivated by a deeper cause they can relate to. Action is just unilateral when it comes to effecting good change. Always be true to your ideals as you act upon it. If you are forced to do something which does not reflect your ideals and that you know it is not the best option for people, then don't force it. It may do more harm than good to your organization.

Your greatest asset of being a leader is being yourself. Being authentic shows how people can trust you for you. Be authentic and true to yourself around other people. Never wear a mask around your constituents. If you cannot give them a genuine smile, a smile that can assure them that all will be alright, what is for them to believe that you will genuinely cater their needs and not your self interest? I think the better question to ask is if the source of your smile is the joy you receive in serving them.  

Even if your greatest asset is being you, leadership is never about you, or what you believe in, or what you are doing: it is about how you can contribute something to the greater scheme of things. Whether you like it or not, face the fact that you are replaceable. Always keep in mind that you are only in your position for temporarily. You are just a speck of what is to become in the Greater Scheme of Things. But don't be discouraged by the fact that you are replaceable, but instead make the most out of your time in position. Learn how to delegate and empower your team mates and those you are leading. Communicate your beliefs to them and engage them to take part in your actions. Let them feel that they are part of a greater picture and you are with them building a foundation to something even greater. 

Speaking of replaceability, since it is inevitable that one day you will cease to serve as a leader, build and work systematically. Creating a system ensures anything can be replicated by those who will come after you. 

The Solution Mindset. In your journey, you will always encounter problems, concerns, obstacles along the way. However, remember that these problems come your way because it means you have the opportunity to solve it. No problem will come your way when you didn't have the opportunity to solve it in the first place. How do you solve a problem, concern, or issue when it presents itself? Take a step back and assess the situation in the current and in the bigger picture. Then, break down the problem, go to its root cause, assess on measures to solve it and its next better alternatives, then make the decision. Lastly, when it comes to problems, keep a calm head. The more you allow worry to bother you, the more time is wasted for the problem to remain unsolved. Keep it resolute. 

Learn to do things step-by-step. Plans just remain plans unless you take action upon them. If a plan, strategy, or goal is too overwhelming, then try breaking it down into smaller, much doable steps. And if these steps are also too overwhelming, try breaking it down again into smaller and doable steps. Any plan is achievable if you take small steps to achieve it. Set an objective in mind. If the objective is too overwhelming, ask yourself how it can be done by breaking it down to smaller steps, realistic, and manageable steps. That is your strategy. If a strategy is hard to achieve, break it down again into even smaller and more manageable steps; those steps are your tactics. If your tactics need more refinement or need to be applied to a certain unforeseen setting, break your tactic down again into smaller steps. These smaller steps are your operations. Just like how in Physics a force needs to build up momentum to set an object in accelerated motion, plans need momentum to get into motion. 

Work with a team. Build a small group of people you can trust who can help you accomplish your goals. In the same way that there will always be people who are difficult to work with, there will also be people who will be willing to work with you. Empower these people, whether or not they are easy to work with you. Instill to them a sense of responsibility, how they are essential in achieving a goal, and work with them. Set your expectations high and set a clear objective. Break down the steps and distribute tasks to them and to yourself on how to achieve it. Build a working system with your team, such that the system will set in motion whenever a goal needs to be met. 

Be teachable. Just because you are a leader or aspiring to be one does not mean you are already perfect. An essential skill every leader needs to nurture is the ability to learn new things and to maintain the humility needed to be teachable. Learn how to listen to people who have expertise on a certain field or topic. Learn how to listen to your constituents, beneficiaries, benefactors, and discern on what they have to say about every decision you make. Don't be ashamed to seek advice, even from those unlikely sources. Always open yourself to new opportunities to learn. Most importantly, acknowledge with humility, that if something is taught to you, you have to be grateful for every new thought you gained. 

Never at the expense of your beneficiaries or stakeholders. One of the mistakes of leaders is forgetting the beneficiaries or stakeholders. Some leaders organize projects just for the sake of having activities to do for their terms of office. Some leaders (and I hope you won't end up as these people) just do projects for their sakes to climb the social ladder. A leader should never seek for clout at the expense of other beneficiaries. Remember that in every project, your focus should be the welfare of your beneficiaries. Never advance your agenda at their expense. Always assure the superior quality of your service to your beneficiaries and constituents. Remember, it is not that you need them, but they need you. 

Know your limits. Leaders are also human. As humans, there are things we can and cannot do. Therefore, don't be a yes-man. Don't say yes to everything that comes your way. Learn to know your limit, admit, and concede inability with prudence and goodwill. Should the time come that you feel that you cannot execute a duty, ask for someone's help. Know your place and where your limits are, as by doing so, you can create a more connected system in your organization. Everyone has their own strenghts and weaknesses, harmonize them. Let them play their part like an orchestra with different instruments: play with harmony. 

Speaking of limits, only make promises you can keep. Whether it is time spent with people, or responsibilities at "home, school, church, neighborhood, community, and country" (yes, I quoted the Senior Scout Code of the BSP), know when you can take more responsibilities, and when to take less. Don't flood yourself with so much to the point you will lead inefficiently and sacrifice many things in the process. Don't bite more than what you can chew. 

If you also believe that there is someone much more fit to lead your organization, accept it with humillity and grace. Don't let your ego cloud your judgment in what is best for the organization or for your constituents. Give way and support whoever that person is. A good leader also knows when to turn over the helm to a new captain.

Legacy. Leave a legacy. I cannot find a better quote to further expound this than the quote of the founder of Scouting, Robert Baden Powell, upon which he says:

"Try and leave this world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate, you have not wasted your time but have done your best."

Life is too short to waste time. Time is the most expensive commodity, as once its lost, it cannot be bought back. Leadership is an investment in time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears. Remember that at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself: how can i make my time in service worth it?

Legacy is also about giving without counting the cost. The whole world does not need to know what you have done. Your constituents don't need to know what you have done for them, and there is no absolute need for you to remind them of what you done. 

If there’s no road to your destination, go off-road until you reach it; then make your own road so others can follow. Not all may remember who built the road, but they will connect more roads from the one you built. In the end, lives are better because of you. That is legacy.

Create a better leader. At the end of the day, if you are questioning your  aspirations to lead, or your current leadership, know that it is a healthy way for you and your organization to improve. Never stop trying to improve, and better yet, help someone improve. Every new day is a new opportunity to make yourself, your team, and the people you are leading better. At the end of the day, if you were doing something right, people will come back and willingly participate in the legacy you left behind. And in the end, the cycle repeats itself. Great leaders inspire and make new great leaders. The greatest influence a leader can have is the ability to form a leader better than him/her.

God is watching. Listen to your heart, and lead with confidence. Remember that as you lead, God is watching your motives and actions. Let Him alone be the judge of your leadership. Just do your best, and He will help you do the rest. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ken Boltiador is the National Director of LIGTAS Philippines. To learn more about the author, check out his profile at The Director's Corner.