LEADERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESULTS

On the face of it, the statement sounds controversial. It is intended as “bait” or a gear to drive an unconventional train of thought as we reflect on this week’s value: leadership.

Simon Sinek proposes that leaders are not responsible for the results, but for the people responsible for the results. This perspective reframes the focus of leadership from simply being in charge to taking care of those in our charge.

We are all leaders in some capacity. Whether one is a prefect, an older sibling or a sports captain, there are people who look up to you. Getting the most house points, winning the game, inspiring a junior and excelling in whatever endeavour are all commendable results that can demonstrate great leadership.

However, leadership is and should not simply be about achieving targets; it is about developing the people who make those achievements possible. A captain who scores the winning goal but spends the entire season shouting at everyone else may have a trophy, but he has not necessarily built a team. A prefect who has perfect house points but is feared rather than respected may have mastered enforcement, but not leadership.

The point is not that results do not matter. They do. Winning matters. Good grades matter. House points matter. Deadlines matter. Even that one extra mark that moves you from an A to an A* matters especially when you have already told everyone at home that you are definitely getting an A*.

So, this Thursday, as we throw back to all the memories made during this half, try to recall the moments when you inspired change in someone. If not many scenarios are coming to mind, perhaps this is your sign to change tactics.

Lead well. Achieve results, certainly. But ultimately, leave people better than you found them. That impact will be a timeless badge of your leadership.

Ms. A. Chiwaya

Law & Psychology Teacher