Sampati's Observations

Right from the start, let me be clear—this is not another guide on leadership. Instead, it’s a reflection on what I have observed and learned over the course of my 25-year career. Throughout my journey, I have come across various terms related to leadership, including:

1. Thought leadership
2. People leadership
3. Situational Leadership
4. Operational Leadership
5. Motivational Leadership
6. Execution leadership
7. Service Leadership
8. Creative leadership

To me, it resonated with something akin to creating many idols – both human and divine,  to demonstrate our devotion to higher powers.

In some instances, I even noticed that Human Resource specialists used distinct evaluation criteria, treating goals and leadership as separate from each other.

But when I look back, here’s what I find…

Leadership is not just a corporate tag that helps one achieve elevation in career or bring about higher perks and salaries. Those factors follow a different set of requirements—perhaps a discussion for another time.

Leadership does not come in multiple forms or avatars. It is one simple principle of life- the principle that keeps us going every single day.

Leadership begins with intent. The intent to get things done, no matter the roles we play or the situations we encounter.

When we really want to get something done or we want to accomplish something and establish that intent very clearly in our mind, that’s where leadership takes birth.

Attaining clarity on how to do it, where to find all the help we need, and when to start acting on it, make our leadership walk like the wobbly gait of a toddler, sometimes holding onto the fingers of others.

These guiding hands could be our bosses, mentors, followers (including those on social media), colleagues, team members, or experts, essentially anyone who can help us gain the clarity we need.

We need to think like that toddler, shamelessly seeking help. No pride or ego – it removes the blockage that prevents us from accumulating the resource or the support we need.

We need to listen more than we speak. Constantly hearing our own voice can dull our senses—hindering our ability to absorb essential information.

We need to keep our mind open. A guest cannot enter our house if we keep the door closed.

With power of information, we think and assess, and gain true clarity.

As we successfully navigate this process, leadership takes on the spirit of a child. Action begins with boundless enthusiasm.

But risks keeps popping up along the way, including:

• Sudden loss of interest – “I’m getting bored.” … “Nothing is happening; maybe I should try something else.” … “The real success stories are elsewhere.”
• Fear of losing – “What if I fail?”
• Influence of Naysayers – “It won’t work.” … “The space is too crowded.” … “Too much competition.” … “You’re not cut out for this.”

… so on and so forth.

If we get stuck here and stop, our leadership fades in its infancy.

But those who push through allow their leadership to grow—taking it into its teenage years and, eventually, young adulthood.

But here lies the challenge—arrogance. “They’re all wrong.” It’s possibly true, as could be the reverse. So, it’s better to scan things through all possible lenses like a critic and calibrate things. Adjust and refine, but never turn back or give up.

One who does this becomes a grown-up leader. And the one who can apply such principles consistently, across every aspect of life, whether corporate, commercial, personal, or spiritual—evolves into a mature leader.

Leadership doesn’t necessarily guarantee material success, but it does equip us to face every situation in life with confidence and resilience.

So, what about the eight leadership terms I mentioned earlier? Are they meaningless?

In my opinion, they serve as structured chapters designed to train the workforce. They spark thought, encourage growth, and help individuals evolve. But they should not be mistaken for the definition of leadership.

Leadership is not a skill, nor are leaders an exception. At its core, leadership is our most primal and desperate desire—the force that drives us forward for survival.

In conclusion, leadership is born from intent, learns to walk with the fingers of the support system available to it, grows by enduring challenges without giving up, and ultimately matures when it becomes a habit.

We are all leaders. The only question is—how seriously do we take it?

What do you think about this? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below—I’d love to hear from you!

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