Did you find the leader in you?

Do you recall being a class monitor? A prefect?  Team captain? Scout? Girl Guide?  Not every one of us would have been all these. Some might not have had the chance to lead. Some might have. But they were shy. And they gave up. Or they thought they don’t have the right qualification.

A fire breaks out at your neighbor’s. Think you were walking pass their house. It’s quite normal for you or any other passer to look what has happened. Naturally, you will get closer to the scene and ask somebody around for the details. Or else you’ll take a careful look and determine yourself as to what would have happened. We, SriLankans are fond of questions and answers. Usually. We like to know what’s happening next door. Who stole Herath’s bandakka harvest . When did Mrs.Lalitha’s big boy marry. Why did Mr. Skanda bring a Flat TV when there is another at home.  What made the fire break? It’s a cabinet of curiosities.

Leave away these questions. Think of how you are going to help cease the fire. Are you going to count votes? Who’ll get the water buckets?  Who will bring the sand? No. You’ll certainly not. By the time you count people to do them the fire may spread more. And you will be gone too. Instead ,you willingly look for water and sand. In the meantime, you will command others to get the needed stuff. And those who flock around will help. Gradually. If it’s getting worse, you may call the nearest fire brigade. You take risks as you please. You are now an autocratic leader.

Here’s something different. Imagine you and your classmates are planning a trip. You cannot command others about what to do and where to go. Rather you suggest places. Go for votes. Get the places numbered. Decide the place that has received the highest votes. And that will be the destination.This is democracy at its best. No conflicts. Remember, you can’t do things your way when you work with teams. You got to know what others like. Their needs.  Their  wants. What they don’t like. This is called democratic leadership.

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Yes. The way you lead differs from one moment to another. You can’t be only democratic. Or always autocratic. You need both. You decide what suits the best when time comes.

pic courtesy :www.entrearchitect.com

A few days old, around 8.00 in the morning a friend said we are all leaders. He said it well. And he said it best. I think. Your leadership decisions don’t affect the boardroom always. But sure they will help for the future of the world. Someday. Take simple things. A day that  your mother  was sick and you had to do the cleaning and dishes. When you and your sister/brother were alone home and you had take care of each other. A day you planned and prepared a meal for the family. Or when you helped a person who had met with an accident in road , at a sporting event or whatnot. You know that nobody is around you to tell what to do . You plan . And do the has to be done things. Many of the messages we have received about leadership are easy, ‘I’ll tell you what to do , and you do it. Or else ‘because my mother / father says so , that’s why’ may even slip through our lips. A leader doesn’t rise along. Leaders be one with another. Leaders don’t affect people in large always. They affect one at a time. Leadership isn’t about having followers. A leader is someone who makes an impact. He or she is the one who makes a change. Responsible. Patient. Willingly helping.

In several years you will be a doctor. A teacher. Musician. Editor. Journalist. Many things.  But learning leadership doesn’t take you to degrees and diplomas.  It is all about day to day activities. How you do things. How well you plan. How  well you will find resources at a given short time.

Let’s not forget 8.00 in the morning. We are all leaders. No doubt in it. For now, think how you’re going to plan the next holiday trip or a way you can help another.



(Published in The Nation Newspaper on 2nd May 2015)