Recently, I gave a talk on a topic that is often fraught with misconceptions and misunderstandings – leadership. Leadership is arguably one of the most misunderstood concepts in business, frequently equated with rank, hierarchy, or position of authority. However, such a definition drastically undermines the true essence of leadership. A leader is someone trusted and followed by his or her peers, often without any formal authority. True leadership transcends the confines of power or position; it is about fostering trust, inspiring others, and helping them reach their potential.

Simon Sinek, a renowned leadership expert, beautifully encapsulates this idea by stating, “Leadership is fundamentally the responsibility to see those around us rise.” This sentiment strikes at the heart of what leadership truly is. It is about nurturing talent and ensuring the growth and development of others, rather than asserting authority or maintaining control.

Sadly, our current corporate culture often reflects a contrary understanding. Many organizations spend copious amounts of time training their employees on job-specific skills but scarcely focus on nurturing leadership qualities. The focus is predominantly on task completion, meeting targets, and following procedures, with little emphasis on inspiring, motivating, or leading.

This approach gives rise to a detrimental assumption: equating competence in a job with effective leadership. Just because someone excels at their job does not mean they are equipped with the skills to lead others. Leadership calls for a unique set of capabilities, distinct from technical proficiency or job performance. It demands empathy, effective communication, strategic thinking, and, above all, the ability to inspire and nurture others.

Upon ascending into a leadership role, the perspective must shift from individual performance to the performance of the team. In Sinek’s words, “Once in a leadership position, it is our responsibility to see how we can ensure people do their best in their natural best.” The focus transitions from how well we performed our job to how we can enable our team members to excel at theirs.

In essence, leadership isn’t about a job title, rank, or the number of people we manage. It’s about inspiring others, fostering a culture of growth, and creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to shine. As I mentioned in my talk, it’s high time we redefine leadership. Let’s shift our mindset from one of hierarchy and control to empowerment and growth. After all, the essence of leadership is not about rising ourselves, but about helping those around us rise.

Thanks for reading,