"Leadership is not a position -- it's an action."
Leadership is the ability of an individual to lead, inspire, motivate, and guide to equip other individuals, groups, organizations, and society for a good cause. And with the elections nearing, maybe it’s high time to revisit what we know about the topic.
Who is a Political Leader?
A political leader is a public servant who works for the betterment of the society. Leaders are elected by the people of the society by casting a vote. All political leaders are required to have 'statesmanship' ; it's opposed to just being a 'politician'. Statesmanship means having the integrity and willingness to stand up for what is right whether it means resigning a political position or losing an election.
It's important as citizens to appoint the right leaders considering their ability and capacity to make a difference that can add value in the society. All leaders are obliged to make an impact on the society that citizens are looking for.
What does it take to be a good leader?
To become a good leader, it's important for you to be capable of making good decisions. You would have the determination to serve for societal progress, the willingness to handle or address issues, and most importantly, be brave enough to stand up for what is right. An excellent leader is the one who is not greedy in political power and dominance. Instead, a great leader must be a leader of action towards future growth.
How do citizens choose leaders?
In choosing a leader, as citizens, we should know how to consider if the aspirants are capable of achieving these following societal goals:
Meet the needs of the group or organization within which the leader operates.
Meet the needs of the people with whom the leader socializes.
Have some form of authority over the people they lead.
Accept and discharge the responsibilities of the position to the best of their ability.
Important Qualities of a Good Political Leader
In order to know if an aspiring leader is good to be elected as citizens, we should consider if he/she possesses these following characteristics:
Honesty
It's important for a political leader to be true to his/her word of promises. Leaders are expected to enact what they pledge by honoring their words to people. Honesty is the key to trustworthiness.
Self-Awareness
To be a good leader it is essential that you are aware of your being. Your stability to handle yourself well can make people trust your capacity to lead. Political leaders who practice self-awareness on different aspects can be effective leaders.
Differential To Others
It's vital for leaders to put others first before themselves. Citizens only elect leaders who know how to address their needs and concerns. When people feel like their values and desires are being reflected by their legislators, they're often more likely to re-elect them.
Active Listening
A great leader is the one who listens first to citizens' concerns. When a leader listens to his/her people he/she can find solutions to aid the people's problems. Active listening can help leaders to further develop their knowledge and skills to lead people.
Walk The Talk
Actions speak louder than words. It's extremely important for leaders to let their actions do the talking for them. If leaders don't practice what they preach, the voters will notice and decide not to support them. Leading by example is a quality that goes in tandem with integrity.
As a Filipino citizen, it is normal for me to take in-depth observations and study those people who aspire to lead our country. We should also stop normalizing vote buyings. It's like we're throwing our dignity to people who wish to destroy our nation. If we sell our votes to undeserving leaders we will lose our rights to complain.
Furthermore, always remember that we, the citizens, are the ones who give them the authority to lead us. Hence, exercise your right to vote wisely and know your power enough to elect those truly effective leaders that have the heart to serve our country.
