I like the distinction made by the saying: managers do things right, leaders do the right things. Both have a critical role to play in business but without leadership the best management will become as directionless as a ship without a rudder.
Given its importance, can leadership ability be learned and developed? Most of us have an idea of some of the characteristics that mark out a genuine leader. These include the ability to rally a team around a mission and inspire them with a sense of purpose and complete commitment. Such leaders tend to teach and communicate assiduously, they are adaptable, principled, singleminded and willing to subordinate their ego to the needs of the organisation and the mission.
In principle some of these can be developed and improved, though the question that has to be answered before pursuing this course of action is whether it is worth the effort. The aspiring leader has to be able to answer positively the question: "Do I really want this, knowing all that it entails the responsibilities, accountability, stresses and strains on all aspects of my life?"
If the answer is yes then development is both possible and rewarding, with research indicating that, as much as 30 per cent of a business's results can derive from effective leadership. So, there is a clear tangible benefit from improving leadership skills.
Performance
Few if any of us will turn out to be another Jack Welch or Rudolph Giuliani, able to display immediately apparent leadership ability. Nevertheless, those who for the right reason not self-aggrandisement, greed or power want to develop leadership skills can find ways to do so and in the process improve the performance of the organisation they serve.
The skills of leadership shaped around a 'mission' can be achieved by discipline and risk taking. Discipline is multi-faceted and involves constantly stretching yourself in all areas of life to take responsibility, to lead; focusing at all times on bite-size, achievable goals without forgetting the bigger picture.
Risk taking is about putting yourself in situations where you may fail but not letting that put you off. It is a prevailing characteristic of successful people that they tend to regard setbacks in a positive light and as an opportunity to learn. Yes, it is frightening to stand up in front of others when there is the possibility that you will fall flat on your face but it is the measure of the quality of an individual just how able he is to pick himself up and carry on.
Communication
Teaching and communicating are vital. Even if doing so does not come naturally, you can still be effective in the role if you have enough interest in the people you work with and are sufficiently passionate about the task in hand.
There are of course plenty of training programmes to help you with your daily presentation and interaction and there is merit in taking these. But be sure it is not at the risk of compromising your sincerity. People will sense if you are being contrived. Be you and enthuse.
Becoming a visionary, being able to anticipate change and capitalise on moving parameters can be learned. There is no magic formula. You have to read and learn voraciously.
Great leaders tend to have tremendous curiosity. They read, talk to people, and learn from others constantly. They tend to be willing to delve into areas that have no direct relevance to their own because they recognise the value of looking at the world from the standpoint of others.
Character and ethics are accessible to all. Character is forged, as we know by struggle. No struggle, no effort, equals no character.
Every society has a code of ethics. Drawing upon the ethics of your society and culture will provide all the guidance you need.
Suborning your ego? No that can't be learned. But it is a decision that you can take. Do I control my ego or does it control me?
The writer is the managing director of Korn/Ferry International in the Middle East.
