Leadership…

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Email: Quick thoughts on good leadership (college students)? (S. Korea)

A recent survey says there’re more than 15,000 books on leadership. Articles on leadership number in the thousands each year. Despite the popularity of the topic, leadership remains a paradox, a mystery. Leadership is a protean art, not science. It isn’t limited to the professional fields, military or academic services. Leaders transcend the confines of standard definitions. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears!”

The key to becoming a successful leader lies in the vision, purpose, passion & compassion. A myth is that good leaders are born. Are there genetic factor in leadership? In fact, the opposite is true. Lao Tzu, “a leader is best when the people barely know he exists, when his work is done, aim fulfilled, they’ll say we did it ourselves.” 

Leadership can take the form of strict command as epitomised by General Patton, “either lead me, follow me or get out of my way!” Or a subtler form as exemplified by Gandhi – “better to lead from behind, put others in front, especially when celebrating victory. We take the front line when there’s chaos.” A true leader is defined by how many more leaders can that leader create. Both are justifiable styles in specific scenarios. 

Perhaps, President Kennedy puts it best – “leadership & learning are indispensable to each other.” Leaders constantly, curiously, compassionately & creatively learn to become leaders, continue to learn even more in their role as leaders!”

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