Election fever is back in Malaysia. So, what should we do? I know most of us are fatigued by the political shenanigans in our country. The same can be said of our workplaces.
After all the uncertainty over the past few years, most companies are almost back to fully working from the office, again. And this also is exhausting.
A re-think is necessary once more. Organisations, like our country, require good leadership at the foundation. What we need for our businesses, and for Malaysia, is authentic leaders who will navigate through the labyrinth of complex issues that we face in this post-Covid-19 pandemic world.
But sometimes, the people who are chosen to lead us just fail, don't they? I mean, if you look online and on the various media platforms every day, we can see reports on our national and business leaders' slip-ups.
In my training and leadership coaching sessions, I notice that the biggest need right now centres on managing the complications of organisational leadership as we reset and reopen our businesses and also our lives.
When you have your back against the wall — your family is struggling to make ends meet; your business is fighting back to fitness — and your job is on the line, you need real leaders to guide you out of your predicament. Effective leaders are like lighthouses who help us sail around hazardous cliffs.
But what kind of leaders are needed for our workplaces and also our nation?
The primary requirement of leadership is the concept of "service above self." To be a true leader, you must genuinely serve and give to others; respect your down-liners; and, be able to do the things you ask others to do, yourself. Leaders simply cannot ask others to work harder than they themselves do.
Next is the need to be decisive. This simply means to not be hesitant or to dither.
As leaders, we are required to make choices that ensure that we deliver on our promises, and fulfil the collective vision of our team. You cannot simply opt for convenient solutions. Instead, your decision-making process needs to be firmly grounded on a solid perspective of the greater good of your organisation, or your cause.
Isn't this what we want from our country's leaders, too?
At workplaces, effective leadership must be driven by purpose and not just by the quest for popularity. True leaders will work resolutely to be useful, and have the right impact on the people they lead and serve. If you concentrate on this, and adjust all your actions to be significant for the greater good of your team, popularity will naturally be an ensuing by-product.
For Malaysia, we need such leaders.
You can teach yourself to be an effective problem solver; become more decisive; learn how to communicate effectively; coach, mentor and hold team members accountable; and develop other skills.
But you have to believe in yourself and your message first to truly succeed. All of us work better when we are led by a confident person. Being confident helps you to be competent. So, always show courage over cowardice.
Many people think that you need to be loud and animated to show courage. However, being an effective leader is far more multi-dimensional than just that. You will certainly need nerve to stand up and speak up. But remember, it also takes bravery to sit down and "shut up".
There is also a saying in management parlance that "it is lonely at the top". This is something leaders must recognise. To be a good leader, you must be happy to stand alone. Upright leaders will do what is right, even in the face of great danger or under the brunt of relentless criticism.
But ultimately, when your method or style yields results, you won't be alone. People will come back to be by your side because you add value to them.
In my experience with effective leaders in organisations, businesses, and also in politics, their biggest successes do not come from their individual effort but by working with a community of people. Authentic leaders always commit to long-term vision and not just short-term success.
In our workplaces and in Malaysia at large, we need leaders who can create a vision but then also articulate, passionately own and relentlessly drive that vision to fruition.
Finally, good leaders must be of decent character and sound temperament.
Leadership has most to do with your disposition. Your actions as a leader always speak louder than the words you utter.
So, in today's world, leadership is a combination of strategy and strength of character. Extraordinary leaders have integrity, and put their people first. They are committed, passionate, and purpose driven.
As we recover from two years of uncertainty and get back to normalcy, we desperately need proper leadership in our workplaces. And the same goes for our beloved nation.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
