LEAD PEOPLE WITHOUT TITLE

Leading people without a title is a challenge. Leadership has nothing to do with the title on your visiting card or by the size of your office. Leadership is not about how much money you make, the clothes you wear or the vehicle you drive. Leadership is a philosophy. It is an attitude. It is a state of mind. It is a way how you operate your people in your department. And mind you, it is available to each one of us. No matter what you do within an organization.

Robert Joss of Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business – "By leadership I mean taking complete responsibility for an organization's well-being and growth, and changing it for better. Real leadership is not about prestige, power or status. It is about responsibility." He says LEAD WITHOUT TITLE.

Being a leader isn't about being liked. It is about doing what is right. Treat your people well and they will treat your customer well. Help people get to their goals and they will happily help you to get yours. Being a good human doesn't mean that you don't need to be strong and courageous when required by the circumstances. Extraordinary leadership is a balance between being tender yet tough, compassionate yet courageous, part saint and part warrior, friendly yet firm.

All that the best leaders really care about being fair, doing what's right and getting results. Do the right thing rather than doing the popular thing. The best thing to do is generally the hardest thing to do. Kindly remember forever. Make the tough decisions. Speak with candor. Let people who are not performing or under performing know when they are not performing.

I can give you an example. While I was in Delhi, the handle of one my luggage broke and I gave it to the dealer from whom I purchased it. I felt that I'd have to pay for the repair. Most of the dealer / businesses put their clients or customers through so many hurdles if you haven't saved the receipt. Any dealer would say as to what is the proof that you have got this luggage from me.

When I explained the dealer about the handle of my luggage, the individual at the counter-without any hesitation – apologized for the problem I faced. He stated that you will have your luggage repaired and it will be in a fine condition within a period of 3 days. No questions asked, no receipts asked. No hassles. No issues. Just an excellent service, with a good and genuine smile.

This gentleman showed his true leadership. He quickly diagnosed the problem, assumed personal responsibility and made the right decision. Part of the solution versus part of the problem. And he vowed her customer in the process. He was not the owner. Not the supervisor. Not a manager. Just a leader without title.