First Class "Insights Series"

What is your motivation to lead?

My quote emphasises that true leadership is about creating more leaders, not just more followers. It's about fostering independence, competence, and the ability for others to guide themselves and contribute to the collective good.

"A true leader doesn't just light the path...": This acknowledges a common, and often insufficient, understanding of leadership. A leader might point the way, provide direction, or even illuminate the immediate next steps. However, this approach creates dependence. Followers rely on the leader's light and may struggle when the leader is absent or the path changes unexpectedly.

"...they teach others to become lanterns.": This is the core of the statement and highlights the transformative aspect of exceptional leadership. Instead of simply guiding, a true leader empowers others to generate their own light.

How?

▪︎ Developing skills and knowledge: Teaching others how to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and solve problems independently.

▪︎ Fostering critical thinking: Encouraging individuals to question, analyse, and form their own perspectives.

▪︎ Building confidence and self-efficacy: Empowering others to trust their own abilities and take initiative.

▪︎ Inspiring ownership and responsibility: Cultivating a sense of accountability and the drive to contribute meaningfully.

▪︎ Mentoring and coaching: Providing guidance and support to help individuals grow and develop their own leadership potential.

Why I believe this is a powerful analogy:

~ Sustainability: Lanterns can continue to shine even when the original light source is gone. This signifies that the impact of a true leader extends beyond their direct presence.

~ Empowerment: Individuals who become lanterns are not passive followers; they are active contributors and potential leaders themselves.

~ Resilience: A group of lanterns can illuminate a wider area and adapt to changing conditions more effectively than a single light source.

~ Multiplication of impact: By creating more leaders, the overall capacity and potential of the group or organisation increases exponentially.