The three traits of leadership
After having met, learnt and worked over the years with many inspiring people, I have tried to inculcate in myself three traits of what I have come to believe define leadership to me.
Leading by example – I was in grade seven when a classmate entered the class with a scarf bound across her head; it was clearly noticeable that her hair was shaven off. The other girls teased and tormented her, passing hurtful remarks and snickering at her. She looked towards her best friends for assurance, but was disappointed when she saw that her friend had ganged up against her with the other girls. The tears spilled over from her eyes and her lips trembled as she looked towards her class teacher. She did not want to tell anyone that her hair had fallen off because of the chemotherapy she had to undergo to fight the cancer cells in her little body. Her parents had to coax her to go back to school. Sitting apart in class, she was hurting with humiliation when the teacher walked in. much to all our surprise, the teacher was wearing a headscarf and had clearly shaved off her hair. That was my first lesson in leadership. A leader must lead by examples.
Building bridges – A story that never fails to tell me to listen to my heart is the story of a dying king who wanted to leave his throne and all his wealth to a young orphaned boy that he had raised. Many ministers had hoped that the king would choose them and were angered by the king’s decision. When the king was bed ridden with weakness, his ministers and aides came and told him that he had made a wrong decision and that the young boy was emptying the royal treasury by distributing and giving away the king’s wealth. The king summoned his protégé and asked him about his recklessness with the royal treasures to which the boy replied that he had given away the wealth to the people on the condition that they return the money and jewels to him when the king died. Since nobody wants to part with their wealth, they would pray day and night for the king’s recovery, wellbeing and long life. And when so many people prayed together, surely the Gods would listen to their pleas. The king was overwhelmed by the boy’s humanity.
Soaring the sky – I believe that a leader must soar the skies not with the thought of looking down upon others, but rather ensuring he inspires others to look up to him.
The Awards is our tribute to the spirit of entrepreneurship and business excellence in the country. If there could be a global award for business, I am certain that Nepal would win…for the undaunted spirit, perseverance and courage with which we carry forward our business in the most difficult times.
For that spirit of entrepreneurship I dedicate these lines…The deep dark forest, and a storm raging in the sky. But I will forget ahead, finding the light… I have made up my mind.
Until the next year, |
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