There are often times I sit and question my leadership skills.
And then I wonder - that in spite of all my experience, is it fair to do this? My boss put that faith in me and brought me here, is it fair to do this to him?
Is it demoralizing for my team to know their Leader is questioning his own abilities?
Personally I feel it is fine. It is natural.
The problem I see all around especially of people in very high leadership positions is that they consider themselves at their best and almost invincible in their area/field. Proud of their achievements and the rise up that ladder (and that they should and deserve to be), however that's a lie in one form or another. Maybe not to the world around them - but definitely to themselves.
If an individual cannot see beyond his/her capabilities, especially when at the highest position - where is the scope of becoming better? Where is the room for innovation or creativity? Where is the hope of making a difference?
One may be truly brilliant; but even to that there always will be a margin of improvement. In many case - pretty large margins.
As an example, just think of any Nations Leader. Are they truly the best? As a citizen and one amongst many in your nation - How do you rate them?
Don't they keep changing? They constantly fight for what is called 'approval'.
In a corporate world, fortunately our positions even at the highest wrung are not challenged this way. However - ironically (and in many case most unintentionally), this is probably the very reason of our complacency. We can thrive on who we are. That's where corruption starts. We are corrupting our own minds to believe we cannot be challenged.
It is out of creating this challenge for myself, that I can and find it important to questioning my own leadership skills from time to time. It gives me room to think from a larger perspective and literally from outside the box. It helps me see through another's eye.
When I sit to analyze what is right or wrong - I see that the very aspect of when things are going all so well; is actually troubling.
How can this be? Nothing is perfect. Ever!
Am I overlooking something? Am I turning a blind-eye somewhere? So many times, amazingly more than 5-7 answers pop up in my head in the affirmative. It is only then that I realize I need to gather up my groove again, this time with a refreshed and new purpose and suddenly I realize there is so much more I can and really need to achieve and do. How did I miss this out earlier? It will happen every time. Just try it out.
As a start, one thing I try not do is to pull down political leaders. I also don't try to emulate or be like them in my own leadership role; even the best of them.
When I look at them, I look at them as a common citizen irrespective of my position and stature in the society and it is in this view that I see so much amiss. So much that can be and should be done. But within that moment I realize there so many other 'citizens' in my corporate world who too probably look at me that way, thinking they know better, thinking I can and should be doing so much more.
So true - Yes I should be doing and can do more.
Problem: So what is the formula?
Solution: Say this aloud to yourself: "As a Leader, I am not perfect, but I must strive to be"
Through this, I know I am working to get better, be a better person, be an effective leader and in time being a guide for many.
By the way, the cycle never ends.
My satisfaction will come when I retire and can confidently say and feel for myself, that I made a difference right upto my last day, because I knew I had reached a stage where my competition was me and boy was that ever a tough competition...and I fought tooth and nail!
But till then....I know as a leader, I am not perfect, however I am going to strive to be!
