Definition of Leadership

Recently, I interviewed my grandfather regarding what defines a leader. I chose to interview him because of his extensive background involving leadership in both the corporate world, as well as in the armed forces. Before his retirement, he had been the chairman of a multinational construction firm based in Taiwan. During the years of his management, the company experienced a reduction of internal bureaucratic procedures which in turn raised productivity. With improved productivity, the company was able to increase their client base internationally. Additionally, his years as a high ranking officer in Taiwan’s air force makes him a good candidate to interview regarding the topic of leadership. This is true because of his experience with the command of a multitude of military officers. Thus, given that my major is in business management, I believe that interviewing my grandfather was relevant to my field of interest.

The definition of leadership from my interviewee is as follows: Leadership is being able to do what others don’t want to do or cannot do. It is the lack of the fear of danger or physical hardships; otherwise nothing would be done or accomplished. Leadership is given to an individual by others; borne from the respect and admiration of a person with courage, ability and knowledge.

My grandfather believes that there are several important characteristics for a person to be an effective leader. First of all, a leader has to do the right things. This includes living a principled and harmonious life. Only if a person is living correctly in their marriage and family life can they set a dignified example for others to see and follow. Additionally, a person should be careful with their speech and actions. Since leaders are role models, everything they do should be sensible. Moreover, leaders cannot be selfish. They must think for the group and not for themselves. They have to respect themselves and others. Finally, the leader should not lead by force. Instead, they should lead with the admiration of others.

A leader that my grandfather admires is a historical figure in China. This person was General Fei, a renowned hero during a turbulent period of Chinese history. My grandfather admires him because of his virtue and deeds. General Fei loved and sacrificed for his country without question or hesitation. Additionally, his love for family and filial piety were distinctions that set him above and beyond other men of the period. One unique detail to note was a tattoo imprinted on General Fei’s back by his mother when he was little. It read, “Forever loyal and devoted to my homeland.” These words became the guideline in which he grew up to follow. The general’s unflinching courage and a heart set with purpose dedicated to his family and country were strong attributes that my grandfather admires.

My own definition of leadership is the ability to motivate and guide others to complete a task or believe in something, while not compromising ethical principles.

I believe that to be an effective leader, the most important characteristics are having capability, having a character of integrity, and being able to persevere through adversity. A leader must have the capability, either through skills, a broad knowledge base, experience and / or courage in order to lead and guide others to accomplish a common goal. Additionally, the leader must possess integrity so that those who follow can trust him and not be led astray. Finally, to be an effective, the leader must know how to overcome adversity. Throughout the course of life, all types of challenges can manifest; those who can continually overcome the challenges are considered to have passed the test, in having what is required in being a leader.

A leader that I admire is Sun Tzu. He was a great military tactician and thinker during the 5th century BC. With his extensive capability, he won countless campaigns of war against rival states and was revered and respected by allies and foes alike. His written treatise, The Art of War, is still used today by military commanders as well as business owners to enhance their knowledge in the principles of leading and commanding groups, along with the strategies of war and competition. Sun Tzu commanded with authority, but he did so through example by living a life with morality. He did not indulge in the excesses and lived a simple and conventional life. It is because of these attributes that I admire Sun Tzu as a leader.

The similarities between my responses and my interviewees can be seen in how we both see the characteristics of an effective leader. Both my grandfather and I believe that to be an effective leader, that person needs to live a dignified or ethical life. This way, they lead by example and not by force. Additionally, a leader must have ability and courage. With these traits, they can overcome obstacles which other people might not want to or cannot overcome. Finally, both of the leaders that we admire are heroes in the historical past. Those heroes were admired and respected by their peers because of the deeds they accomplished and morale lifestyles they lived by.

The differences between my responses compared with my interviewees can also be identified in how we value the characteristics of being an effective leader. Whereas my grandfather views that a person should lead with the admiration of others, I did not find that this trait was a necessary one to be successful at effective leadership. I believe that a leader needs extensive capability to be effective. On the other hand, my grandfather views that doing the right things or setting good examples, instead of having ability, should be held in high priority. Finally, in the examples of a leader we each admire, my grandfather chose a hero who would sacrifice and do tasks for country or family without question or hesitation. Although the leader I admire also sacrificed and did deeds for his country, his actions were deliberate and well thought out before any action was taken.