Leadership
Insight:
Having insight means having a perspective which is different than others. It means looking at that which is not visible yet. It means seeing things which are not obvious. I think leaders add a lot of value to our world by way of having, sharing and taking action on the insights and unique perspectives that they have. It is not just a matter of being different; it is more about being different with some substance to it. It is also about committing oneself to learning so much about one’s subject of interest that one becomes a thought leader in it.
Intelligence:
In recent times, the role of IQ seems to have been underplayed in business discourse, especially after the concept of EQ gaining prominence. However, if you look around, it is evident that people who have succeeded in any walk of life, people who have paved the path for others to follow possess the ability to process information quickly and make logical inferences. IQ sounds like a loaded concept, but I use it to mean general smarts. You may think of it like a strong processor, similar to the processors found inside computers. The faster the processor, the smarter the machine, the more calculations it can do per second. I strongly feel that possessing high IQ is essential to being regarded and respected as a leader; it is one of those differentiating factors. One doesn’t have to be the sharpest tool in the shed to be a leader, but most leaders are sharper than others.
Humility:
Leaders are humble people, even if they know they are leaders. This humility comes from the realization that they enjoy the position of leadership, which so many others don’t, even if they have earned it and they deserve it. Many a times, leaders are not able to identify what makes them a leader, and this gives them more humility that they are great without a reason. Many leaders may behave brash on the surface, may seem to be arrogant and insensitive, but in their moments of self-exposure, they show exceptional humility. Their core is filled with gratitude for the position and respect they have acquired.
Vineet is an accomplished professional in the area of People Development and Human Resources. He currently works with a leading local bank in the UAE as their Training Manager.