Leaders are they born or made……..I think both as I believe each individual has the potential but like we uncover a gift we need to uncover this quality in an individual to turn him into a leader.

There are many factors attached to becoming a leader and in today’s terms as we may put it an Innovative Leader, the basic one is to think…not only think but think out of the box, think about it with a 360 degree angle and having a plan to execute the idea with the help of a capable and multi faceted team where each one possesses a quality and has his own capacity.

If you ask me I firmly believe….

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower”

• Steve Jobs

Leadership is not a title or a position it is solely the influence that an individual has on a group of people and is focused to lead them towards the goal but by leading from within and not just from the front.

Another very important factor is a beaming face with a smile. Many a times, kindness or being compassionate is taken as a weakness or a negative trait in a leader, but I firmly believe that it takes immense strength to be kind towards all your team mates. A warm smile gives your team the confidence and a positive vibes and a sense of comfort.

A leader is one who not only learns from his own mistakes but also from other’s mistakes. Only then he will be able to have a better innovative vision and lead his team.

A LEADER–A BELIEVER–AN EXAMPLE

Many of you must have come across this short story about Mahatma Gandhi. This is one of the classic examples of an ideal Leader.

Sometime during the 1930’s there was a young boy who had become addicted to and obsessed with eating sugar. His mother decided to get help and took the long and hot journey with her son walking many miles and hours under the scorching sun.

She finally reached Gandhi and asked him to tell her son to stop eating sugar; it wasn’t good for his health. Gandhi replied, “I cannot tell him that. But you may bring him back in a few weeks and then I will talk to him”. The mother was confused and upset and took the boy home.

Two weeks later she came back. This time Gandhi looked directly at the boy and said, “Boy you should stop eating sugar. It is not good for your health”. The boy nodded his head and promised he wouldn’t. The boy’s mother was puzzled. She asked, “Why didn’t you tell him that two weeks ago when I brought him here to see you?”

Gandhi simply smiled and said, “Mother, two weeks ago I was eating a lot of sugar myself.”

A strong leader always leads by example.

A leader needs to be a lifelong student as one needs to keep learning. Learning keeps the flame ignited and this leads to curiosity which leads to innovative ideas.

Amongst all the qualities that a leader should possess the most important is patience. Patience to think clearly to get a change.

“An ounce of patience is worth more than a tone of preaching.”

About the Author

Dr. Rupali Dhamdhere is a dedicated educational professional with 7 years of banking and more than 15 years of teaching experience in both a title and non-title school. She is currently serving as the Principal of CM International School. She believes that teaching is just not a profession, but it means to use all your resources to push the community further.

In many years of experience covering all aspects of school operations, including teaching, counseling and special program management, Dr. Rupali has proven her ability to create and monitor policies and practices that promote a safe learning environment, ensure a school culture that encourages continuous improvements for teachers and students, and develop an environment that encourages open communication with colleagues, students and the community. She has demonstrated knowledge and leadership in the area of state educational policies.

She became a teacher to instill hope and aspiration in the youth, because of her belief in their potential for a greater cause. Dr. Rupali encouraged and supported her team of professionals to receive their rightful honor which they were worthy of. She strives to play an important role in the education and personal growth of children and adults by encouraging them to maximize their potential while promoting the interpersonal and communication skills essential in creating a positive and productive working environment.