Many individuals have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they feel their application would not be complete without it, and I am no exception. A few short years ago, when the economic crisis hit, my family was split from the centralized unit that I knew it to be.
As a result of the economic crisis, in order to be able to support our family, my father moved to another country to live, working to continue to provide us with the life to which we were accustomed even if it meant that he could not be with us to do so. At first I saw his actions as a slight against me, for how could he leave his family behind? Once I got over the shock presented by his decision I was able to see my father’s actions in a different light. This was a life changing event for me; I saw his actions as completely selfless. He was stepping up to the plate and becoming a leader in my own eyes for seeing the situation for what it was and making the best of what he had available to him at the time.
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Things have changed since then; the economy has gotten better, and my entire worldview has shifted from what it was to what it is today, and with it my career choices have changed as well. My slightly simplified definition of the word “leader” has now become a goal of life. Leadership is not only about ability. A leader is not just someone who leads a group of people and is responsible for them; a leader is someone who motivates the people around him, not only with his words but also with his actions.
Using his skills, he inspires and encourages those he would seek to lead. Speaking as an orator is not enough for the leader’s communication skills; the leader must be a good listener and practice active listening skills in order to understand the needs of others. He is a person who is willing to make one step back in order to move two steps forward, yet with a steady pace and an abundance of patience. The leader is a person who takes risks, who enjoys adventures, and faces his difficulties as opportunities, his weaknesses as chances to improve. He does not fear failure, and he learns through experience and not just books. He should be respectful in order to be respected, and he should earn the respect of others by being honest and authentic. His goal is to always be a better person than he was yesterday. A leader’s EQ is more important than his IQ. He has empathy and cares for everybody. He is passionate about life and determined to live it to its fullest. Intuition and imagination are also important characteristics for a leader.
While all of these characteristics are important, and even necessary in a leader, perhaps the most important characteristic of the great leader is passion. The leader must continue to be enthusiastic and optimistic about the situation, and their drive and desire to move forward must always be clearly conveyed in their words and their actions.
I want my success to be measured not in terms of money and power, but in terms of the number of people I have managed to change, and to that end I will strive to become a leader in my field, working to engineer social change and change within the organization I end up working for. I wish to emulate my father, showing that his example, his sacrifices, and his willingness to change not only made a difference to me, but showed me the leader that I want to become.
