The Leadership Crisis

According to a recent government report thedo Leaders do and what skills do they need?
business world is currently in a leadership crisis.Leadership is about behaviour first, skills second.
Up and coming managers, those who will be ourGood leaders are followed chiefly because people
business leaders of the future do not seetrust and respect them, rather than the skills they
examples of "inspirational leadership" in their workpossess. Leadership is different to management.
places. Employees long to see a genuine sharedManagement relies more on planning, organisational
vision, real confidence and trust in teams andand communications skills. Leadership relies on
respect for colleagues, customers and employees.management skills too, but more so on qualities
Less than 40% of managers actually see thesesuch as integrity, honesty, humility, courage,
traits on display in the workplace.commitment, sincerity, passion, confidence,
Where did all our leaders go? Perhaps we havepositivity, wisdom, determination, compassion and
placed too much emphasis on management ofsensitivity. Some people are born more naturally
our businesses instead of leadership. I wouldto leadership than others. Most people don't seek
hazard a guess that more people are comfortableto be a leader. Those who want to be a leader
with the thought of becoming a manager thencan develop leadership ability.
they are with being asked to take the position ofLeadership can be performed with different
leader. Therefore, naturally we have more aspiringstyles. Some leaders have one style, which is right
managers than leaders but a much biggerfor certain situations and wrong for others. Some
percentage of managers are capable of becomingleaders can adapt and use different leadership
leaders in their fields that are actually stepping upstyles for given situations. Some leaders are big,
to this role. Why?bold and brash characters, others are quiet,
What is leadership? Perhaps we don't have asunassuming but determined and visionary.
many leaders as we need because not enough ofAs a leader you must know yourself and know
us understand what leadership is really all aboutyour own strengths and weaknesses, so that you
and who can become a leader. Can you takecan build the best team around you. Leadership is
someone who isn't a natural leader and turn themabout finding the best in yourself and giving the
into one?best of yourself. Leaders always go first, setting
Are we all leaders in our own unique way? Whatthe example, walking the talk, doing not dabbling.