First Level Leadership

What is Leadership - Is It Covered With a Veil of Mystery?

What is Leadership: Let’s shake our sagacious heads and penetrate the mystery; while some affirm that there is no mystery at all, I feel the secret code lies with you.

An imperfect definition of leadership is more gainful 

than a perfect definition. Are you looking for a perfect definition of ''What is Leadership''? Let me tell you from the onset that there is no perfect definition.

Why? The mystery of leadership makes it impossible to answer the question “What is leadership”? in just a few precise words. However, I will not throw you off with a lurch, but would saddle you with an advice to write your own definition.

Do you inherit leadership skills?

At some level I think that you believe that people become leaders. They are not born leaders. After all, if you thought otherwise, why would you explore this site and the topic of what is leadership?

Can you make some efforts, not superhuman efforts to discover

“What is leadership?”

Shut your eyes,

think of a role model or the most effective leader you know. Can you draw his picture in your mind? It does not matter whether the person is living or no longer alive.

Your mind’s eye should visualize the person

As the person comes upon the scene you should be able to see the exquisite outlines of an effective leader in action. In your mind’s eye can you see a distinct picture?

Now if you tell me

that you have no body in your mind, please stop, and search for a role model before you move further.

The person can be some one you know personally,

or have studied about, or have noticed closely. But you must have somebody in your mind in order to define “What is Leadership?”

Once the picture is clear,

make a list of all the skills, behavior and attitudes of this person. Remember what makes your hero tick are those skills at which he truly excels.

If you want to be honest with yourself, please don’t the read rest of the page until your list is complete.

But knowing you,

I am certain that you will read rest of the section. Fair enough.

Please check in your list

of skills whether you have covered a crucial skill for leaders, which is:

A leader is a “lifelong learner.”

Please add this skill to your list – courtesy First Level Leadership. This is a skill without which the development of leadership is unimaginable.

It is the under-structure of effective leadership. So my definition of ''What is Leadership?'' is -

“When ordinary people become extraordinary leaders through learning.”

Please chalk out your plan, have a learning mindset,

clearly write your learning objectives next to your computer and do whatever it takes to learn. 

If you want to be an effective leader, nurture a learner’s mind set

It is a fact that very few people ever receive any kind of specific training in leadership skills. It is therefore very elementary to translate why being a leader is so often effortful, exhausting and disappointing.

At this stage allow me to introduce some leadership theories 

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