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 Leadership
is not simply the ability to manage people or about visionary skill.
It goes further than all that. At the core of the concept of leadership
is a sharp understanding of all the internal and external factors
that affect business.
A business leader must develop a holistic view
of the macro-environment in which he is operating. Not only does
he need to be aware of the dynamics of other businesses within his
own industry, he also needs to acquaint himself with other industries,
markets and external realities. In today's competitive scenario,
only leaders with such an understanding will be able to provide
the right impetus to their businesses.
However, this does not imply that in the process
of understanding the bigger picture, a leader can afford to ignore
the finer aspects of his business. Attention to detail and the quest
for perfection contribute equally towards the making of a great
business leader. A successful leader is one who is able to maintain
a fine balance between the two.
In all my experience of globe-trotting and
networking with some of the finest business minds, I have observed
one common trait among all successful people. While believing in
a moderately hands-on approach, all of them believed in devolution
of responsibility to inspire leadership in future generations.
Another key attribute is clarity of thought.
Effective leaders use this clarity to establish well-defined targets,
to set clear performance expectations, and to devise a systematic
execution strategy. They create and environment where each employee
feels accountable towards his targets and motivated to attain them.
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