Build leadership for greatness

Hunt For Greatness

Milton Kamwendo

IN leadership, as in construction, it is important to know what and how you are building.

In building, any corner you cut could mean loss of a limb or life eventually. The materials you choose matter. You can pick the fleetingness of hay or the solidity of a rock. Short-term thinking in leadership steals from generations unborn.

How you build and what principles and legacy you lay determine the longevity and resilience of what you construct.

Foundational decisions shape the efficacy and impact of an individual, community or organisation. Everything rises or falls on leadership. Building effectively is more than just putting bricks together. It requires a design decision, meeting obligations, hard work, the community and a journey of continuous growth and adaptation.

Building decision: Make it

The first step in any building process is the decision to build. In leadership, this decision is a deliberate choice to undertake responsibility and strive towards envisioning and creating something enduring. You decide to build something that will last.

Making the decision to lead is akin to selecting the ground upon which to build. This sets the stage for everything that follows. This choice involves recognising the potential of what can be achieved and committing to the arduous task ahead.

Your decision to lead effectively must be firm and informed. It dictates the direction and purpose of the collective efforts. It requires a vision that is clear and compelling. This vision serves as the blueprint for the structure to be erected.

Leaders see the future and mobilise towards it. Make your building vision a structure of positive influence and a bedrock of values, and lead for the benefit of the greater good.

Building obligation: Step up

Once the decision to build has been made, step up to fulfil the obligations of leadership. Acknowledge the responsibilities and challenges that come with the decision to lead. Just as a builder must adhere to codes and standards, a leader must abide by the ethical norms and expectations of those they lead. This involves commitment to serve and deliver on the promises. Leadership is all about hardworking, mental work and communication work.

The leadership obligation is consistency and reliability. It is about being a cornerstone that supports the entire edifice. As a leader, you must provide stability and direction, especially when challenges arise. Your commitment must be unwavering. You have to ensure that every brick placed contributes positively towards the overarching structure. Leadership is a brick-upon-brick process.

Building work: Get tough

Building on solid foundations requires hard work. The path of great leadership can be rough. It has challenges that test your leadership resolve, capability and endurance. Leadership will always stretch and grow you. It demands mental and emotional strength. It is the ability to persevere through setbacks and fatigue. It is the ability to keep going when everyone has gone to sleep.

As a leader, you must be resilient. Be ready to face the brutal feedback and swallow hard truths. You must be capable of making tough decisions and maintaining clear thinking. This might mean pushing forward when resources are scarce. You will have to innovate when traditional methods fail.

The hard work of leadership involves continuous learning and adapting. You have to ensure that the structure, be it a team, a company, process or a community initiative, remains sound and functional.

If things are not working, it is your job as a leader to fix that. In leadership, you cannot make excuses.

Building community: Connect

No leader builds alone. Leadership requires a vision community. This is a network of people who share the vision and contribute to the building effort. This community aspect of building underlines the importance of strengthening relationships and connections. The leader’s currency is trust — trust of character, trust of communication and trust of competence. Here, we are talking about relationships that are based on trust, respect and mutual support.

Connecting with others provides you as a leader with resources, insights and the collective energy needed to overcome obstacles. Get up on your feet and engage. Reach out for feedback. Get the insights you need. Building is not about guesswork. Nurture your community. Maintain open lines of communication. Encourage collaboration and participation. Build bridges instead of destroying them.

Building journey: Embark on it

Building great leadership is a journey. It is ongoing and ever-evolving. Just as a building is maintained and sometimes renovated to serve new purposes or meet new standards, so too must you adapt and evolve as a building leader. This is a growth journey. Each experience, challenge and success is a step in this journey. Keep refining your leadership skills.

Be proactive in seeking out opportunities for personal and professional development. Be open to new ideas and be willing to adjust your strategies as circumstances change. Building involves mentoring others and building a lasting legacy.

Building effective leadership is like constructing a sturdy building. It begins with a decision to build something that will last. You then sustain the journey and keep growing. Leadership is a testament to the strength of your foundation and your integrity as a builder. Build brick by brick. Keep working at it.

Committed to your greatness.

Milton Kamwendo is a leading international transformational and motivational speaker, author and accomplished workshop facilitator. He is a cutting-edge strategy, team-building and organisation development facilitator and consultant. His life purpose is to inspire and promote greatness. He can be reached at: [email protected]