1+1>2

No one was born as a leader and leadership is more of nurture than nature. However, not everyone could be a ringleader and leadership requires self-motivation.

Never have I thought about being the center of the world but a good team player and good person in my life. Such mediocrity is the mentality inherited by centuries. Only a few people would be able to jump out of the loop and reach the top of the pyramid. Since I do not think I have the capability of being a part of the minority few, I do not bother to challenge. But lately life proved me wrong.

A real story of my friend, who also just started his career in a multinational company, provides a vivid example that how important to take the leadership. In his team, each individual is an experienced, knowledgeable and harder worker. But the team performance is way behind the other groups, comparing to their individual’s. A good point he pointed out to explain the situation is that everybody is working in solo and has a short sight of what teamwork means to them. The reason, why there is no teamwork, is because no one wants to step out taking leadership to make each individual together. What the story inspired me is that taking leadership does not necessarily mean people have to step on top of the others, as is mentioned in our book: “No one likes to take orders”.  Instead, taking leadership is more of taking ownership and responsibility. You need to take leadership to stand yourself out all the way to success. You need to take leadership to motivate your colleagues and direct them towards the same goal. You need take leadership to show the responsibilities for your own life. Respect your team members; ask questions instead of giving direct orders, and spur people on to success.

Putting that thought into my world, whatever in personal or career life, I do not want to be a mediocre person.  At work, I take more responsibilities on my shoulder not only doing my job right but also bring other team members for discussion, brainstorming the solutions to cope with the issues that we are facing. Off work, I usually organize some weekend event, gathering together some old classmates or families who have not been seeing each other for a while.

Sometimes taking leadership could be just a step outside your own defined world. It would not hurt or cost you anything but it could make a big difference to you and the people around. By the way, being a ringleader feels good!

GOAWAYCOMEBACK COMMENTS:

Great insight of leadership which will surely inspire more people out of their comfort zones to take the lead!

You are right, leadership is not about ordering people like a boss. Leadership is about creating one plus one bigger than 2 effect!  What comes around goes around, if we can create more value for our team as a leader, we create more value for ourselves, too.