What is Leadership? And How to Be a Leader

Response 1 

I agree with the assertion that leadership is a healthy and fully integrated process. Most people might believe they are capable of engaging in the leadership process, but they end up unsuccessful due to lack of sufficient leadership skills. As stated in your post, I find it extremely challenging to define a true leader. As much as there are several underlying characteristics of a leader, it is rare to find a leader who is fully incorporated with the entire features. According to Bennis (2009), what molds a leader is an essential experience marred with hardship and struggles. The leadership journey emanates from the aspect of undergoing great self-discovery. Bennis maintains that ‘before individuals learn the tenets leadership process, they should be ready to go through several strange things in this globe. In addition to this, I second the fact that a leader should embrace team-work and self-realization. Failure to establish and motivate a vibrant team is detrimental for a leader's success and prosperity. Finally, I also uphold the fact that a leader should be able to control emotions based on the setting. For instance, in the family setting; he or she should act compassionately and emotionally. This remedy is particularly applicable to the military commanders. 

Response 2 

Indeed, a leader is somebody capable of leading from the forefront. Leading from the forefront means that one should be capable of facing and conquering many underlying challenges for the sake of achieving the goals and objectives of a team or an organization. Hence, it is the primary reason leaders are always prompted to learn from the previous challenges and seek appropriate measures to deal with any shortcomings. I like the way this post articulates that a leader is more of a risk-taker and a motivator. These features enable leaders such as the military commanders to lead their troops into harsh and risky territories and conditions. They are the source of inspiration to their team members. According to Bennis (2009), ‘a true leader is an individual whose actions have profound impacts on their colleagues regardless of the underlying situation.’ He or she should encourage the team members to maintain focus on the achievement of their goals rather than evading challenges. They should introduce various approaches for motivating their team members to enhance the accomplishment of established strategic goals and objectives. 

Response 3 

This post is somewhat challenging and elusive in a way. It necessitates an in-depth analysis and understanding to argue from this point of view. From my perspective, I partly agree and partly despise this argument. Indeed leadership is sometimes exclaimed as a learned process. At the same time, leadership is claimed to be in-built or that leaders are born. I only believe that just like beauty, the true colors of a leader lies on the eyes of the beholders. This argument is in line with what Bennis (2009) believes that ‘leadership is like beauty, hence making it hard to define but is known from the sight.' From this, it is pretty clear that leadership is a comprehensive process that necessitates humility. Somebody who manages to become a leader through a learning process should be extremely competent and ready to face any looming challenge. It is the primary reason I presume that whichever the way, a leader should be an individual with unique values and principles that attract a sense of authority and control. Looking back to the ancient times, leaders were particularly presumed to be inspired by God or any other supernatural being. There still exists a room to research whether leadership is a learned or a natural process. 

References 

Bennis, W. G. (2009).  On becoming a leader . New York, NY: Basic Books.