There is so many articles, books and speeches conducted by many people from many different backgrounds that explain what leadership all is about. They explain, in their view, either one or more of the following; what is it, what is does, what it means, what is looks like, who has it, how to posses it and so on.
I find the topic of leadership extremely fascinating, because it shows the hierarchical construct of our social society and of organizations. It can dynamically change or never change. It can be positive and help everyone around them or it can be detrimental and foster a whole culture of deceit, criminality and violence. But the topic of leadership is so enticing to many people that they scramble to obtain any knowledge to help them understand it, obtain it and apply it.
Everyone that is teaching “leadership” to others all have their own principles, lessons and theories on what great leadership is. All of it seems good, but the most difficult aspect of learning to be a leader is boiling it down so that you can apply the leaning and skills of leadership so you can become an effective one.
When it comes to knowing or learning what is the true principles of leadership, I do like the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s take on this:
‘You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.’
To me, this is a key aspect of boiling down the lessons, principles and theories of learning and applying leadership. It is also probably the one that we all struggle the most with and why only a few masters it. It is leading yourself and do it your own way.
Inspiring yourself to be your best, to accomplish your tasks and goals, to gain knowledge and to learn and to apply yourself to be a one of model character is the greatest challenge for anyone to be a leader. Leadership begins by leading yourself. That is the way I believe you can become a great leader and to lead others. Be the captain of your own leadership.
