Cowboy Caleb the liberal arts, grown-up stuff & random mischief

To Lead, Serve and To Serve, Lead

It is relatively easy to lead but it isn’t easy to be a leader.

Some people obey you because you have authority. This type of fear-inspired subordinates require the most amount of effort to manage because the moment your back is turned, they are doing the opposite of what you want them to be doing. Many people from a regional/corporate office assume that when they travel to a local site, the staff there have to obey their whims and desires. This sort of tale usually result in a bad ending.

Other people obey you because you are seen as a winner. Anything you touch turns to gold. Who doesn’t want to be on the winning team? Of course, when you’re not winning, the same people run off to seek shelter from the rain leaving you to be drenched alone.

The situation I want to be in, and am trying to cultivate is one where people willingly follow a leader.. Always have respect for people’s time and effort. Never ask a person to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.

Become a person that leads because he is able to be inspire the respect that people will give willingly. Create an environment where people work together for a common cause without fear of blame or reproach. Become that person that people admire and aspire to emulate. People know when you genuinely care about them.

Knowing that people take great pride in the leader that they serve, knowing that that leader leads by serving his team first.

2.5 years left in China

Easy to say what you want to do, Hard to Do what you Say.

And the rottenest thing is - when you think you’re walking the path best you can and that you’re doing a decent job of it, one unintended ‘wrong’ comment to a staff who later complains to the HR Dept is all you need to upheave insecurities. No matter that you were pressured or stressed at the time. It happened to me and caused me to go into a spiral of self-doubt, making me think that I needed to be a robot to be a good leader. At this time, I’ve dusted off and carried on. All the best in your walking this path. :)

You are a true leader when you are able to grow those following you.

1. There is only one way - the straight way. It sets the tone of the organisation.
2. Be open to the best of what everyone, everywhere, has to offer; transfer learning across your organisation.
3. Get the right people in the right jobs - it is more important than developing a strategy.
4. An informal atmosphere is a competitive advantage.
5. Make sure everybody counts and everybody knows they count.
6. Legitimate self-confidence is a winner - the true test of self-confidence is the courage to be open.
7. Business has to be fun - celebrations energise an organisation.
8. Never underestimate the other guy.
9. Understand where real value is added and put your best people there.
10. Know when to meddle and when to let go - this is pure instinct.

~J.W

i feel your pain… interestingly, we can extrapolate this to apply to many instances in the sg public sector… something we can all attest to…