WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A LEADER

Dear Readers, this is my perspective about what a true leader can be and what can be achieved by him. I believe that true statesmanship is the art of changing a nation from what it is into what it ought to be. The ultimate worth of any state, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals who compose it. A leader in any respect has to have the dexterity to get others to go along with him voluntarily, without any compulsion.

He has to have a set goal in life, be ambitious enough with a clear vision in hand, knowing very well where he has to draw the line in times of crisis. As David Hakala quotes, “ A leader does not suffer ‘analysis paralysis’ but is always doing something in pursuit of the vision, inspiring the others to do the same.

Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless. This brings to my mind the words of J.P.Stanley, during one of my literature classes in school, “ Give us the man of integrity, on whom we know we can thoroughly depend; who will stand firm when others fail; the friend, faithful and true; the adviser, honest and fearless; the adversary, just and chivalrous; someone who can be trusted because he never swerves from values how ever tough the situation may be.

I feel that integrity is the first step to true greatness. A man of integrity will never listen to any plea against conscience. I like a person who knows his own mind and sticks to it; who sees at once what, in any given circumstance, is to be done, and ultimately does it.

When we can say ‘No’, not only to things that we feel are wrong and not justified, some things that are really sinful, but also to those things that are pleasant, profitable and good for a good cause, then perhaps we begin to really understand the true meaning of life and how best we can achieve the good out of it.

Beneficence is a duty; and he who frequently practices it, and sees his benevolent intentions realized comes, at length, really to love him to whom he has done some good. There cannot be a more glorious object in creation than a human being replete with benevolence, meditating in what manner he may render himself most acceptable to the Creator by doing good to his creatures.

As worded by Burke, “ The great difference between the real statesman and the pretender is, that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present; the one lives by the day, and acts on expediency, the other acts on enduring principles and for immortality.”