Click For These Two Choices: Above Or Below Leadership

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The click for these two choices is: above or below leadership according to John Maxwell, who defined leadership as influence—nothing more, nothing less—while Warren Bennis characterized it as the capacity to translate vision into reality. Personal leadership experiences can profoundly shape one’s understanding and practice of leadership principles. In this essay, I will explore two significant personal leadership experiences, analyze their impact on my growth, and discuss how they reflect the core aspects of leadership as influence and vision realization.

My first leadership experience occurred through my voluntary involvement with a non-profit organization called "YOUTHUNITE," which aimed to support children from economically weaker backgrounds by funding their education and fostering their growth and success. When I initially joined, the organization had limited student enrollment, which motivated me to actively contribute towards expanding its reach. Collaborating with other volunteers, I helped design flyers and utilized social media platforms and radio broadcasts to raise awareness about the organization’s mission. Leveraging a friend’s radio expertise, we promoted our initiatives effectively, reaching shelter homes and communities that needed support. Our efforts led to the establishment of educational classes, where volunteers, including myself, taught children and facilitated their learning process. Additionally, we managed to generate donations—funds that directly supported the education costs of underprivileged students.

This experience became a testament to how leadership manifests in influence. By influencing public perception and mobilizing resources, I contributed significantly to expanding the organization’s footprint. The success stories, such as one student receiving an international scholarship, underscored the impact of collaborative efforts and strategic communication. This experience reinforced the importance of empathy, gratitude, and respect—values I believe are essential for effective leadership. Empathy, in particular, stood out as a rare but crucial leadership skill, enabling leaders to connect genuinely with others and inspire positive change.

My second pivotal leadership experience was supervisory in nature. I was tasked with overseeing three consultants and two interns, despite lacking an official managerial designation. This role involved mentoring, training, and guiding team members to ensure project success. Being one of the core members with comprehensive knowledge of the project, I approached this responsibility as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership qualities—taking initiative and fostering teamwork.

This supervisory role provided practical insights into project management, delegation, and problem-solving. I learned the importance of trusting team members with responsibilities and empowering them to perform effectively. The experience also highlighted the significance of caring for team members, exemplified by an intern just starting in the corporate world. By providing guidance and support, I helped this intern gain confidence and professional skills. Our collective efforts resulted in a high-quality project delivery and contributed to the intern securing a full-time job. This experience underlined that leadership in a corporate context is about influence, mentorship, and creating an environment conducive to growth and success.

Both experiences demonstrate that leadership is not confined to formal titles but is rooted in the ability to influence others, inspire growth, and translate vision into tangible results. Maxwell’s view of leadership as influence aligns with my involvements, where I sought to inspire others through communication and mentorship. Bennis’ emphasis on translating vision into reality resonates with my efforts to raise awareness and generate support for educational causes.

Furthermore, these experiences have enriched my understanding of essential leadership skills such as communication, empathy, delegation, and problem-solving. Effective communication was vital in raising awareness for YOUTHUNITE, while empathy helped build genuine connections with the community and team members. Delegation and problem-solving skills proved crucial during project supervision, enabling teams to work efficiently and adapt to challenges.

Leadership development is an ongoing process, and personal experiences like these serve as valuable learning opportunities. They have taught me that authentic leadership involves influencing others positively, fostering a shared vision, and caring deeply for those you serve and work alongside. As I continue to grow professionally and personally, I aspire to embody these principles, recognizing that leadership influence extends beyond titles and is rooted in genuine action and commitment to a cause.

References

• Bateman, T., Snell, S., & Konopaske, R. (2019). Management: Leading & Collaborating in a Competitive World. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Pathak, Anjan. (2021). 25 Leadership Qualities That Makes You A Good Leader.
• Maxwell, J. C. (1998). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
• Bennis, W. G. (2009). On Becoming a Leader. Basic Books.
• Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership That Gets Results. Harvard Business Review.
• Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge. Wiley.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
• Heifetz, R., & Linsky, M. (2002). Leadership on the Line. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Path to Follow. Paulist Press.
• Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations. Pearson.