Joshua Bell discusses the nature of leadership:
Leadership has become a buzzword; an objective to which many aspire, and a virtue without which human society would descend into chaos. Its intricacies continue to engage the pens of countless authors, and yet it is a quality which, when possessed, is instantly recognisable.
We live in an age where leadership has become a commodity, but where true leaders are rare. Each year, conferences lure hundreds, if not thousands, through their doors with the promise of revealing the art of leadership. Effective communication, confidence building and the art of engaging an audience with charisma; these take-away offerings are all for sale to the paying pundit, yet while certainly valuable assets in the arsenal of any successful leader, something is missing from the messages espoused by these conferences and bestsellers; something absolutely indispensable – a focus on character.
Remarkable leadership- the kind worth believing in and following- comes from strength of character, rather than the ability to make a memorable speech. Think of the celebrated leaders in history. They have one distinguishing feature in common: character and the integrity to be true to it. True, they were master orators and could capture the attention and imagination of their audience, but words, no matter how well communicated, will rapidly fade into oblivion if spoken by an empty vessel. Remarkable leaders can capture, and hold, the faith of their followers precisely because they offer a vision in which to believe, with the resolute character – and therefore credibility - to back it up.
Recent Comments