What does a person need to become a leader? The answer could be as simple as ‘be a good follower’. Anyone, having and meeting the right documents and stated qualifications, can easily be assigned and promoted to a leadership role. However, being an effective and a true leader should actually go beyond just merely fulfilling the job and getting things done.

               We’ve all met a person of a high-ranking position who acts like he is special, and thus needs to be treated like one at all times. Such kind of person is present everywhere – in government institutions, private companies, organizations and virtually anywhere in the world. In fulfilling his responsibilities, he doesn’t care about the feelings of his subordinates as long as he is right based on his own set of standards. This might be considered acceptable at some situations, but not at all circumstances. Leadership demands that the feelings of his colleagues should also be taken into consideration. It is about understanding that everyone has bad days just as much as he has good days. During those bad days, leaders should provide guidance and support so that they can still achieve their common goals and objectives. It is also about making the people placed under a leader’s care that it is perfectly alright to be imperfect, and improvement and development are always possible. On the other hand, leadership is about celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of others no matter how simple they may be. Leaders should lead by example so that the next set of leaders can pass on the values rather than hate to the next batch of subordinates.

               Above all qualifications, the utmost requirement that leaders should possess is a heart that truly loves and cares as he places his interests even after the others’.

 

By: Arvin L. Pascual, Teacher I | COB National Highschool | Balanga, Bataan