We recognize bad leadership when we see, hear about, or experience it. We notice people in elevated positions, who are morally bankrupt, destructively inept, and criminally corrupt. We moan and groan as they rob us blind and scuttle our life chances. Yet, we leave them in office. In some cases, they stay in-situ until death liberates us from their clutches.

Unfortunately, they leave behind poorly built roads, bridges, facilities, hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure; maladministration in educational and healthcare systems; and lacking governance. Bad leadership is toxic. So, how do we stop the malaise? How do we go from complainant to advocate to agitator, and finally, to leader?

We need to look at leadership differently. Mark Sanborn wrote in The Fred Factor, about a mailman taking a leadership role. Fred went out of his way to not only deliver superb service but to look out for the welfare of his clients. For example, when he noticed a homeowner traveled a lot, he offered to keep his mail at the post office to be delivered upon his return. This way, thieves would not notice unclaimed mail and deduce that nobody is home.

Now, other mailmen would keep stacking the mail and going on their way. They know unclaimed mail attracts thieves, but they’ll say, “it’s none of my business.” Is that the attitude of a leader? No. A leader brings solutions to problems. If you have the solution to any problem raised within the organization, whether you have a title or not, YOU ARE A LEADER.

How do you step up?
1. Offer a solution. What problem can you solve? Politicians have the right of it when they promise to solve problems during their campaigns. Unfortunately, they seldom keep those promises. When you offer solutions, you attract followers.
2. Build a team. Leadership is not an easy game particularly in the face of violent opposition so you need to have a team that would fight on your side. Secondly, your team increases your circle of influence thereby increasing your effectiveness.
3. Network with other leaders. As a leader, you must be able to work with other leaders to get things done. Liaise with like-minded people so that you can effectively deliver solutions.
4. Strategize effectively. You must know the lay of the land. Know the people you’re working with. How far would they go? Those who lack daily bread would not readily buy into the idea of building a factory. You must connect with the people you want to lead.
5. Accept feedback. Offer a solution, allow people to adopt it, then take feedback. If it works, replicate. If it does not work, go back to the drawing board. Find another solution.