Leaders are not born but are made – by their followers
More than ever, today the world needs leaders who aren’t only intellectually smart but emotionally intelligent, insightful, compassionate and values based.
Leaders who’re attuned to their followers can use this as a springboard to provide leadership into an uncertain future. A leader cannot stand alone. He or she must stand with their followers, interpret for them, strive to fulfil their hopes and be their champion in the struggles of life. Leadership is achieved, not given.
The recession of 2008/2009, from which we’re trying to emerge, was caused by the self-serving, selfish thinking that focuses on the “me, myself and I”. True leaders think beyond themselves. Particularly in the 21st century, we need leaders who are astute, knowledgeable and insightful. We need leaders who are able to deal with complexity.
I am sometimes criticised for my idealism but a more caring, values-based leadership translates into business success and profits as well. For example:
- With the recent oil spill in North America, a focus on gain at the expense of the common good saw BP lose a substantial chunk of its company value.
- Nike’s huge losses can be attributed to negative public reaction to its exploitation of child labour in the manufacturing business.
At Nedbank, the bank’s current financial strength is attributed not only to its business principles but to a change in corporate culture. When I joined the group, it was on the cusp of collapse, needing financial bail-outs from the Reserve Bank as well as from Old Mutual:
- When I was appointed as chairman designate on 25 November 2005, the Nedbank share price was R91.47.
- When I was appointed chairman on 4 May 2006, the share price was R131.01 and as at 18 November 2013 it was R210.75.
Many people leave the bank but 18 months later say they want to come back. When I ask them why, they say it is the culture and because of the values. This is the essence of what I am advocating. People will produce to the best of their ability if they are in an environment that is conducive to them producing optimally. My job is not about managing risk but ensuring that the work environment is conducive for them to flourish.
Leaders who lead us successfully are coordinators rather than controllers and their moral stature arises from dedication to our cause. We admire them not because they are powerful. They are powerful because we made them so and they are admirable when they provide clear vision and positive direction.
Leaders aren’t just born to the role but are born – and then made
Sometimes they are created by their own actions and sometimes they are shaped by events. Take the example of former President Thabo Mbeki, who is an exceptionally brilliant man but not willing to take advice and as a result lost touch with his followers. On the other hand, the late former President Nelson Mandela focused on the common good throughout his political career, putting his leadership skills at the service of his followers, the key to his success as a leader.
I am not against competition and innovation, or pursuing ambition. However, your followers cannot pay the price for this. Leadership can only succeed over the long term by sharing the values and aspirations of followers and this means being able to distinguish between what is expedient and populist versus what is serviceable and honest. It takes insight, empathy and discipline to achieve resonance with followers. This is what Ubuntu promotes.
