by Venchito Tampon | Last Updated on October 31, 2024
Leadership, to me, is about change and movement.
That’s just me. Others have their definitions and points of view about leadership.
Leadership is often one of the most discussed topics, yet different schools of thought exist on what it is about.
Truthfully, the concept and definition of leadership are based on the author’s or person’s point of view, based on his experience, expertise, and observation of others’ ways of leadership. In our leadership training, we teach different views and principles of leadership, which we will explore today.
What is Leadership To You?
Leadership is Influence
Dr. John Maxwell, one of the foremost authorities on leadership, once said, “Leadership is influence.”
Maxwell’s assertion that “leadership is influence” is a foundation for understanding how leaders create change and movement. Influence is the ability to impact the thoughts, beliefs, and actions of others.
Influence isn’t about wielding the power of authority. Instead, it’s about earning trust, consulting others for insights, demonstrating integrity, and inspiring others to believe in your vision. They don’t display any manipulative actions such as power tripping.
Before you ask for a hand, you first touch the heart—another famous saying from the leadership guru Maxwell.
In his book Five Levels of Leadership, he created a framework for moving from a position-level of leadership to achieving a pinnacle-level of leadership, where a leader is followed by people because of who he is and what he represents.
More than a person’s level of competence and results he achieved for the organization, a great leader, based on Maxwell’s school of thought, is someone who has done great development for the people they lead
One of the classic examples of leaders who gained respect in his organization is Steve Jobs. Jobs didn’t just tell his team what to do; he inspired them to think differently and believe in the impossible. His influence was rooted in his passion, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Pro Tip: Build and strengthen relationships with direct reports so you can connect from the heart and inspire them to do their best work.
Leadership as Change
As I mentioned earlier, I believe leadership is about driving change. Great leaders recognize that the status quo is never enough; there’s always room for growth, improvement, and innovation.
They have a vision of what could be and work to transform it into reality. This vision-driven change isn’t about making arbitrary shifts; it’s about creating meaningful and sustainable progress.
Leaders like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. epitomize change-driven leadership. They didn’t just talk about what needed to change—they lived, breathed, and inspired others to do the same.
For instance, Mandela’s leadership was about dismantling apartheid, Gandhi’s leadership focused on independence through non-violence, and King’s leadership championed civil rights and equality.
They showed that authentic leadership isn’t about maintaining the status quo; it’s about challenging norms and inspiring others to envision a different, often better future.
Pro Tip: Inspire change in your teams by turning the vision into reality.
Leadership as Movement
Aside from reinforcing change, leadership is also about making a movement. It may sound like it’s only applicable to government and non-profit organizations, but creating and pursuing a movement also applies to leaders in the corporate world. The movement represents leaders’ dynamic action to steer their teams, organizations, or communities toward a shared objective. It involves setting direction, making decisions, and taking steps that propel everyone forward.
Leaders create momentum by turning ideas into actionable steps. They set the vision and build the pathway to achieving it, ensuring everyone is moving in the same direction.
Leadership is a Journey
For many, leadership is a journey. It involves change, movement, influence, and the ability to serve others. It requires vision, emotional intelligence, integrity, and authenticity.
Consider Elon Musk’s example. His leadership isn’t just about dreaming of electric cars or exploring Mars; it’s about mobilizing vast teams of people, resources, and technology to make these seemingly impossible goals a reality.
Musk creates movement, which turns his vision into a tangible, step-by-step journey. This illustrates that leadership is more than having ideas—it’s about generating the energy, enthusiasm, and coordinated action needed to turn those ideas into a reality.
Pro Tip: Love the process as much as you love creating results for your team and organization. By loving the process, you will grow and improve your competence and character as you lead your teams.
Leadership as Service
This may be the last on this list, but it is the most widely known concept of leadership.
Leadership is service. Servant leadership is meeting people’s needs and helping them grow. Servant leaders prioritize their team members’ well-being, development, and empowerment. They lead by example, demonstrating humility, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
Leaders like Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi embodied servant leadership. Their leadership wasn’t about authority or personal gain but about uplifting others and positively impacting them. By putting the needs of others first, they built trust and inspired countless individuals to follow their lead.
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