Leadership is like climbing a mountain. Here are four reasons why:
First, because you need to have a direction — a vision. Where will you be taking the organization? Where will you be taking the people following you? If you do not know the mountain, the peak, or summit that you want to reach, you won’t be able to get there.Thus, as a leader, you need to have a vision. Define it and share it with your organization.
Second, because it is a journey — a series of steps. Once you know the direction, you need to take the required action to get there. You need to trek through that challenging trail to go up the summit. Election or appointment to an office does not automatically make you a leader. It is taking the necessary steps consistently and regularly that will. So, move your feet on a daily basis. In due time, you will reach the mountain peak you chose.
Third, because you need to enjoy the trail and the summit — savor every step and every peak. Celebrate the small and big victories that you have. Recognize the large and little wins. Doing this will amplify your ‘motivation’ and help maintain your ‘momentum’ — two important elements to keep you going with your leadership responsibilities.
Fourth, because after some time, you will descent from the summit — you need to step down. In a designated day, a new leader will take your position. He will continue what you have started, like what you did when your predecessor stepped down. The moment he stepped down, you took the helm. One day, it will be your turn to pass on that leadership to someone.
This leadership process is so beautiful and sobering. Because leadership must sustain leadership by creating other leaders. Ergo, the goal of leadership is to step down. And if there are new leaders, you – as a leader – have done your job. With your leadership, new leaders have emerged.
Leadership, indeed, is like climbing a mountain. You have to know where your direction is. Take that trek. Enjoy every step and every peak. And then, go back and walk down because someone will also climb. Go, climb mountains and empower others to do the same!
(Chris Dao-anis, CPA, DTM is a leadership trainer, keynote speaker and author of 4 books including ‘SPEAK: How to Craft and Deliver a Speech or Presentation with Competence and Confidence. Get this book for free by attending his SPEAK 2.0 Intensive Public Speaking Workshop on May 25. Register now at http://bit.ly/SpeakBaguio . You may also join him, together with other recognized speakers, at the Growth Summit 2019: Build Your Foundations of Growth on July 13. Sign up now at http://bit.ly/growthsummitph).