Every leader in an organization yearns for importance. They want their legacy to be that they were more than the combination of their parts. This is due to the fact that significance in leadership goes beyond metrics such as the number of followers, market share, popularity poll lead, geographic reach, or celebrity. In all honesty, none of the aforementioned represent actual significance; rather, they are totems of “success.”
When it comes down to it, the measure of leadership significance is the difference created, the lasting impact, and the relevance. A noteworthy leader is ultimately a transcendental and transformative person.
Before I get into the specifics, let me briefly discuss the “rules of engagement.” I have concluded in this blog that certain significant indications are absolute qualifiers and others are absolute disqualifiers. For example, the lasting impact metric ought to be objectively positive. This site offers nothing to reassure or uplift organizational leaders who have a propensity to act like narcissists, psychopaths, fools, or predators.
Now that the background is established, the seven unusual indicators of leadership significance are outlined below.
- They are aware that multiples are always more significant than one
This basic mathematical rule must guide any leadership that aspires to be regarded as noteworthy: others [many] come before me [single]. This is what selflessness is all about. In situations where others are in danger, a great leader will stop at nothing to put the needs of others before their own. A prerequisite for significance is the multiple over singular principle. No other indicator will more successfully filter out the egotists, blowhards, and narcissists who utilize the leadership position as a front for their own avarice, grift, and self-aggrandizement.
- They are still capable of feeling shame and guilt
Shame and guilt are innate social and personal thermostats. They assess the leadership climate and prevent overindulgence and misbehavior in leaders. By taking their temperature on a frequent basis, a notable leader may identify boundaries and avoid almost breaching them. Guilt and humiliation are the first sacrifices made on the altar of personal ambition by leaders who choose “success” over relevance. Since they make it easier—even desirable—to compromise principles and ideals, both must be given up. Because of this, losing the ability to feel guilt and shame is a certain disqualifier.
- Their ideas usually outlive them.
A genuine leader lacks a survival instinct. To them, the whole concept of survival is offensive since it implies self-preservation. That is why you will never find a significant leader utilizing words like “indispensable.” They understand that the principles and beliefs of leadership are always superior to those who support them. They therefore consider themselves to be stewards and custodians rather than keepers and owners in the broader scheme of things. Since they are aware that their beliefs will eventually stand or fall on their own merits, they are willing to accept the verdict of history.
- They define the times that would define them otherwise.
A “defining moment” is an occasion that changes everything, unquestionably swings the balance, and seals the deal. A great leader creates their own moments, not waits to be defined by them. This is so because relevancy lies in an active, not a passive, position. It acknowledges the significance of the first mover advantage. It is obstinate, unrelenting, and disruptive as needed. Prominent figures forsake meadows well before they turn barren in order to till and conquer rich land. They leave a culture of aspiration and ambition in their wake by doing this.
- They are able to distinguish between the truth and lies.
Who was aware? I was originally hesitant to publish this sign because it looks so clear-cut. But lying at the highest levels has become so commonplace that I could not remove it from the list with a clear conscience. The problem is that a great leader does not disclose the truth because they are aware of the difference between truth and fiction; rather, they do it because they realize that there can be no accountability without the truth. There can be no right or wrong adjudicator where there is no accountability. The worst part is that when you are unable to distinguish between good and wrong, evil becomes attractive rather than merely acceptable and tolerable.
6.They consume leftovers.
In the corporate C-suite culture, the concept of eating leftovers is almost foreign. Those in positions of leadership frequently get to enjoy the perks of their jobs first, both literally and figuratively. Is there something wrong with that? The takeaway from this is that “eating leftovers” is a sign of a culture and behavior pattern in which leaders deliberately seek to put others before themselves. This is crucial because it keeps leaders from becoming enamored with their roles and viewing them as lordship.
- They do not act in front of the camera.
Significance gradually transforms from a role you play to a life you live. When dedication, perseverance, or self-control are needed, it is easy to identify precisely who stands for what. Everyone makes the claim to be trustworthy up until the point where their character flaws are ruthlessly revealed and their reliability is put to the test. Consistency is also a factor, as notable leaders do not exist for show or attention-grabbing moments. They will not only act when it is advantageous for them; you will also find them acting in other situations.
To sum up, significance does not mean perfection. I have had the pleasure of working with numerous leaders throughout the years that I would gladly characterize as noteworthy. None of them are flawless, though. Thus, the goal of this blog is not to set an impossible standard for people in leadership positions. Instead, it is to unambiguously define importance as something which rises beyond the commonplace and fulfills a mission beyond itself. Others will undoubtedly define significance in different ways. That would make for an intriguing discussion. For that, I am available.
