Leadership as a Duty, Not a Privilege
True leadership means putting the needs of your team and organization first, rather than viewing it as a personal benefit.
“Leadership does not always wear the harness of compromise.” – Woodrow Wilson
Many view leadership as a position of power and privilege, but true leadership is more accurately described as a responsibility and duty to those you lead. It's about making decisions that are in the best interest of the team and organization, rather than personal advancement.
Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox, became the first African American woman CEO to head a Fortune 500 company and was known for her deep commitment to ethical leadership and corporate responsibility. Burns often made decisions that prioritized the welfare of employees and the long-term health of the company over short-term financial gains. This approach not only stabilized Xerox during turbulent times, but also earned her respect as a leader committed to her duty.
Effective leadership is not about climbing the corporate ladder for personal gain; it is a serious commitment to positively impacting your organization and the people who work within it. Great leaders view their role as a duty to guide their teams through challenges, prioritize their well-being, and foster an environment of growth and opportunity.
True leadership involves making tough decisions that may not always be popular, but are necessary for the sustainability of the business. It requires a selfless approach and a focus on the long-term benefits for the team and the company.
Action Step: Reflect on recent decisions you’ve made as a leader. Evaluate whether they were made with the organization’s and team's best interests at heart. Moving forward, try to approach each decision as an opportunity to fulfill your duty as a leader, focusing on what is truly beneficial for the team and the business.
Remember, leadership isn’t a reward for reaching a certain level in your career—it’s an ongoing responsibility to those you lead and serve. Embracing this perspective can transform the impact you have as a leader.
To learn more about leadership as a responsibility, be sure to check out our book of the week: “The Motive” by Patrick Lencioni.