There’s No Such Thing as Perfect
An online survey listed all the qualities people EXPECT from ‘perfect’ Leaders:
They speak for exactly twelve minutes.
They are 44 years of age and have been leading for 25 years.
They work from 7 am until midnight every day.
They frequently praise others, but never upset anyone.
They wear nice clothes, buy good books, drive a nice car, give generously to the poor and have a low salary.
They are always available, always upbeat, positive, motivating and are always in the office when needed. Oh, and,
They are also very good-looking!
Of course, we all know that there is no such thing as THE ‘perfect leader’. Nevertheless, daunted by the high expectations people have of their work leaders, I felt both excited and a little overwhelmed by the responsibility when I stepped into my ‘big-boy’ leadership role for a multi-national. That day, I wrote in my journal, I would lead everyone with integrity of heart, a cool head and with skillful hands. It’s still my mantra today.
“The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is… on a football field, in an army, or in an office.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th US President and Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Western Europe during World War II