Regardless of whether it’s business, sport, politics, or church, to name a few of the main spheres of life, the topic of leadership has been debated for centuries.

It was once said ‘Leadership is like beauty, it’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it.’

There are many who call themselves leader these days, but then again self-praise is no praise.  People usually follow a leader for three reasons; it’s because they have to, are paid to, or want to. The authentic leader is interested in the last category.

The key to authentic leadership can be described in one word. It’s a word we hear often, but seldom take time to reflect on the fullness of it’s meaning.

The word is ‘Character.’

Character has a number of key attributes, which attracts genuine followers. These include:

·     Integrity

·     Reliability

·     Honesty

·     Self-discipline

·     Being teachable

·     Perseverance

·     Consistency

If a leader takes seriously the effect of these values, they will attract loyal and faithful followers who will go the extra mile.  Discretionary effort is a valuable commodity these days and the example of the leader is more powerful than ever.

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.” The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

When building a career or a business, remember that your family requires an investment of time, not money

When making important decisions listen only to a small number of people. The more you listen to, the harder it will be to make the right decision

Beware of those who smile at you all the time and yet run others down all the time

There is a season for everything under the sun. Even though you face a difficult challenge now, you can often laugh at it when you look back in 6 months time

The world can look completely different after a really good night's sleep

Never underestimate the potential in people.  The capacity of a human being is an amazing thing.  So often people are written off either at first glance, or because of a poor initial impression, yet they are and can be completely different when time is spent getting to know them.