What does it take to be a leader?

#leadership #career

What is a Leader?

Being a leader is not an easy position, whether in the workplace, on a sports team, or within a family. Some might argue that leadership is innate, embedded in one’s character, disposition, and mindset. However, leadership can also be developed through deliberate practice. No one is born knowing everything; it is a journey that involves continuous learning, experience, and reflection. Those who aspire to lead effectively must first understand what leadership truly means.

It is essential to recognize that leadership is not only about taking the lead, but also about offering consistent support. A true leader is someone who understands the needs of their team and prioritizes collective success. Within a company, does it make sense to focus solely on individual performance, or should it also consider team performance? Leadership is not about acting as an independent contributor. It requires observing the team, identifying areas of difficulty, and assisting individuals in improving. This is precisely where many organizations have gone wrong, they often adopt short-term strategies, such as terminating underperformers, rather than investing in coaching and growth.

If a team of ten people is continuously reduced through dismissals instead of being supported and guided, the result will be the eventual breakdown of cohesion and productivity. Leaders should focus on strengthening the group, not weakening it. A successful team is built through collaboration, not competition. Effective leadership means committing to the development of others, enhancing performance and work quality, and guiding individuals toward their goals. Teams that receive support and feedback are often stronger and more resilient in the face of challenges.

Strategies and Resources

One of the most impactful resources on this topic is the book Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity, which provides a practical guide for leading without sacrificing empathy. Written by Kim Scott, a leadership expert who has worked with companies like Google and Apple, the book introduces the Radical Candor framework. This approach encourages leaders to care personally while challenging directly, striking a balance between compassion and accountability. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, Scott demonstrates how honest communication, when delivered with respect and clarity, can build trust, improve performance, and drive long-term results.

Organizations should aim to create environments where feedback is encouraged, people feel valued, and leadership is seen as a responsibility to serve the team. Otherwise, talent will continue to be lost, and the cycle of disengagement and high turnover will persist. After all, the best leaders are those who uplift others, not those who lead alone.

Bad Leadership Example

Consider a scenario where poor leadership had a direct negative impact on a team. A startup with ten developers, who were growing quickly and fully engaged, suddenly had new milestones added to their sprint. However, the team did not believe in the direction the project was taking and began discussing their concerns privately. Once leadership was made aware of these conversations, they faced a crucial decision. They could have responded by initiating open dialogue to clarify the vision and rebuild confidence, or they could have reacted defensively, assuming the team was being uncooperative.

Unfortunately, the leadership chose the second option, responding aggressively and treating the concerns as a threat rather than a warning. This decision broke the chain of trust and engagement. One by one, team members started to leave, seeking better environments where they could contribute meaningfully and be heard.

Lesson

What is the lesson here? Effective leadership is not just about setting goals; it is about supporting the people who are expected to reach them. A leader should have encouraged open communication, asked the right questions, and addressed doubts with transparency. Instead, the company has paid the price, both financially and culturally, by losing valuable talent, spending resources on hiring and training, and damaging team morale.

Leadership is an art. On one hand, a leader must be firm and decisive; on the other, they need to listen, care personally, and challenge directly, a core principle of Radical Candor. There is no need to be harsh or distant. With respect, clear feedback, and genuine care, leaders can build strong, motivated teams capable of overcoming challenges together.

Books remain one of the most valuable tools for learning, and leadership is no exception. In addition to Radical Candor, another powerful read is The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win. Although written as a novel, it offers practical and insightful lessons about leadership in high-pressure environments. The story follows Bill, an IT manager unexpectedly promoted to VP of Operations at a struggling company. Faced with missed deadlines, team dysfunction, and a failing initiative, Bill has just 90 days to turn things around. Through mentorship and experience, he learns how collaboration, process improvement, and effective leadership can drive real change. The book provides valuable takeaways on how leaders can navigate complex challenges, build trust, and enable their teams to succeed, no matter the industry.