In Search of Leader

This post is inspired by the #UsGuys weekend Blog-off topic of Offline Klout, thanks to @DanPerezFilms

A lot of discussion has gone off lately about what Influence is, online & offline. In the real world, true Influence is like Being a thought leader. How this position is attained is a matter which is highly debatable, but can be summed as a person who is looked up to by others in his circle & community. In other words, its called being truly “Influential” and respecting that position.

I would like to share a Blog post which was posted in 2005 by yours truly, in a world without Klout but when I was struggling to find a CEO for one of my Start-ups. Please do Share & Comment.

IN SEARCH OF A LEADER

I went on a search to become a leader…

I searched high and low. I spoke with authority. People listened. Alas, there was one who was wiser than I, and they followed that person.

I sought to inspire confidence, and the crowd responded: “Why should I trust you?” I postured, and I assumed the look of leadership with a countenance that flowed with confidence and pride. And many passed me by and did not notice my air of elegance.

I ran ahead of the others and pointed the way to new heights. I showed that I knew the route to greatness and then looked back and discovered I was alone.

“What shall I do?” I queried. “I’ve tried hard and used all that I knew”. I sat down and pondered. And then I listened to voices around me. I heard what the group was trying to accomplish. I rolled up my sleeves and joined in the work.

As we worked, I asked: “Are we all together in what we want to do and how to get the job done?”

And we thought together, and fought together, and struggled toward our goal.
I found myself encouraging the faint-hearted. I sought ideas of those too shy to speak out. I taught those who had little skill. I praised those who worked hard. When our task was completed, one of the group turned to me and said: “This would not have been done but for your leadership.”

At first I said: “I didn’t lead. I just worked with the rest.” And then I understood, leadership is not a goal, it is a way of reaching a goal. I lead best when I help others to go where we’ve decided to go. I lead best when I help others to use themselves creatively. I lead best when I forget about myself as a leader and focus on my group … their needs and their goals.

To lead is to serve … to give … to achieve together.

Thank you,
@MrShri

sam

“And we thought together, and fought together, and struggled toward our goal.” This sentence to me is the most difficult for us to achieve in life. The together part means so many different things to each and we’re limited by our fears about being connected. Learning about being human means learning how to do things “together”. Thank you for contributing your post.

http://www.mrshri.com Mr. Shri

Thanks Sam, could not agree more

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http://twitter.com/PaulBiedermann Paul Biedermann

Nice post! Many of us confuse leading with being the “top dog”, but mostly it means empowering others to do the best they can do. Do that and everyone wins — that’s real influence, and it’s just as true now with Klout as it was before Klout.

http://www.mrshri.com Mr. Shri

Thanks Paul! Glad I could put in my post for the UsGuys

http://twitter.com/GabyORourke Gabriella O’Rourke

I loved this post! Like Paul said, many people confuse leadership with being way out in front and dictating the path, but I subscribe far more to this image of leader as facilitator. How can I help us all get there, using the benefit of everyone’s talents. How can I develop their trust in me such that they will willingly trust and follow when I suggest a certain path?

Lovely line… “I lead best when I help others to use themselves creatively. I lead best when I forget about myself as a leader and focus on my group … their needs and their goals.” Nailed it!

http://www.mrshri.com Mr. Shri

Thanks Gabriella, I think the more we adapt to this thought process, the more we can succeed in life.

http://twitter.com/RababKhan RababKhan

Marvelous post! Pretending and trying to be a leader the way we sometimes believe a leader should be, achieves nothing. It is only when we Un-learn things that are embedded in our minds, remove them and give way to new ideas, become more flexible and open to the different ways in which a job can be done, it is only then that we can truly lead.
Thank you for sharing your views on this.

http://www.mrshri.com Mr. Shri

Thanks Rabab, Leadership & Influence go so much hand in hand.

http://twitter.com/Karen5Lund Karen E. Lund

What a beautiful, sweet post! You make me think about some of the best people I’ve worked with, who were quiet, hard-working and rarely called attention to themselves, yet somehow others always turned to them with questions or when they needed help.
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