It does not matter who you are, where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always. (Oprah Winfrey)
Admit it. You are fed up with having to listen to, see, taste, feel, and in general, sense black and white perspectives and preconceptions about any external leadership attributes of leadership in the 21st century. Leadership, and the ability to affect, influence, persuade and be convincing is ultimately always about personality, not about any external attribute an individual may or may not possess. On the top of that, truly great leadership signifies having the ability to step above any external stress factors, setting these aside and purely focusing upon having a mission, and a purpose, to strive for in your leadership practices, regardless of your external attributes. Keep in mind, however, that no matter how equal, global, and increasingly much based upon justice our world is, there are still many improvements needed, any many global goals to be pursued in order to create a state of equal leadership in this 21st century.
Leadership success is not about the money you make. It is about the difference you make in people´s lives (Slightly modified quote from Michelle Obama)
To be an equal leader, and to enhance equal leadership in your environment, organization, and society, there are some significant steps you need to take, including:
Equal leadership is ultimately always about:
Respecting diversity, taking into consideration general human rights and the right to diversity regardless of any external attributes in an individual. Equality in leadership is always respectful, non-discriminatory, based upon objectivity and acceptance rather than placing value upon any other relevant attributes than the capability of an individual to successfully perform a duty, or a responsibility within a specific context.
Equal Leadership is also about
Taking the responsibility to develop an equal leadership approach and equal leadership practices within yourself, and therefore also in your environment, including in your society. Change is not always easy, as most people are more or less resistant to change. Nevertheless, even small changes in attitudes and behaviors ultimately lead to larger changes and even to giant leaps in development, be it in an individual, in people in general, and therefore also in societies. Understand that we are constantly developing and evolving as human beings, and that our personal choices and actions do have a significant impact upon other people, and societies in general. Therefore, never underestimate your personal capability of leading change in any circumstance. Your voice is important. And you can help people around you – after all, that is what leaders are for. Leaders are here to empower people, and to accelerate positive change not only in themselves, but also in individuals and in society surrounding them.
The highest calling of leadership is to unlock the potential of others. Carly Fiorina
History is history. Equal leaders know how to respect history, but also how to embrace the NOW, and welcome the future.
It is not easy to change culture. Changing culture, and long-established patterns of attitudes, behavior, and life, is among the most difficult attributes and circumstances that can be changed, be it in an organization or in a whole society. Nevertheless, as there is no shortcut to how leadership can be transformed in an organizational setting, or in a society/in societies, we have to take the “hard” way, the practice that requires most of all, patience, and persistence. Respect history, embrace the moment, and the NOW, but remember your dreams, the dreams of people in your organization, in your environment/in your society, and be willing to work towards making those dreams a reality – not only for yourself, but for the sake of individuals and people around you, and of course, for humanity in general. Do not fear realizing your most beautiful dreams, because
The Future Belongs to those who believe in the Beauty of their Dreams (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Equal Leadership is also about:
Assuming less, asking more. Listening more than talking. Observing more than speaking. Being less subjective, and increasingly much objective. Respecting more, valuing more, caring more. Understanding more, and if not understanding, at least about trying to understand. Seeing things from the perspective of others rather than merely seeking to convince other individuals and about having the need to always be right. Equal leadership is also about respecting and valuing all diversity, without having the need to have the last word or ignore other human beings whether you think their opinion is right or wrong. Equal leadership is all about a respect for diversity, the modern approach towards creating a world economy where every single human being is treated equally regardless of their external attributes, socioeconomic background, or believes. A world where every individual has equal rights, and equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic background or any other external attribute.
An example of equal leadership in the 21st Century (although gender is not the only external attribute that should be reformed in regard with equal leadership):
How to avoid gender stereotypes: Eleanor Tabi Haller-Jordan at TEDxZurich
Thank you for reading, commenting, liking, and for sharing. Thank you also for engaging in developing an equal global economy. Looking forward to your comments, and your thoughts about equality.
Anne-Maria Yritys 