Leadership is like a life long journey of a person who feels inner quest to change something for good. A good leader is known by the followers he or she struggles to groom up. A leader must feel that an act of virtue is glorified by the effort of a team rather than by solitary initiatives.
Yet, we shall find many unsung heroes, within our surroundings, who exhaust their whole lives trying like aging fisherman Santiago (Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway) battles a colossal marlin for days, enduring exhaustion and isolation to prove his worth. Though sharks devour his hard-won prize, his resilience and respect for the noble fish transcend defeat. A testament to human grit and the dignity found in struggle, even when victory slips away. And, we must have seen the rise of few Davids (fought with Goliath valiantly) who might take inspiration from the legacy of the old man’s grit and fight back to refuse snatching the glory.
We found such resemblance of leadership trait in Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee) who defends an innocent Black man in a prejudiced town, embodying moral integrity. His quiet bravery inspires his children and community, proving heroism lies in standing for justice despite isolation.
We have seen leaders to be successful by putting a great show of teamwork. D’Artagnan and the Musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—champion justice (The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas) in 17th-century France. Their camaraderie and daring exploits showcase teamwork as their greatest weapon.
We have also found Napoleon’s tyranny contrasts Snowball’s idealism (Animal Farm by George Orwell), exposing how leadership corrupts without accountability. True power serves the collective, not self.
In my opinion, leaders should have the following vitures to scratch the legacy on earth.
Empathy: Understanding and connecting with others on an emotional level is a key trait of strong leadership, according to Hill. It demands listening beyond words, sensing unspoken fears, and valuing diverse perspectives to forge trust.
Leading Innovation by scaling geniuses: Everybody had a “slice of genius” — their talents and passions — that could be unleashed and leveraged to develop innovative solutions to stakeholders’ pain points and ambitions.
Resilience, Assertiveness and Courage to sail through storm, act as Bridger/catalyst are the new demands from the leaders of future.
We have seen the courage of the sailors of historical voyages—like those of Columbus, Magellan, Cook. The sailors on these expeditions faced immense challenges: unknown territories, harsh weather, limited resources but they never quit. What leadership traits would be crucial here? Resilience and adaptability come to mind. Odysseus’s (The Odyssey by Homer) decade-long voyage home tests his cunning and endurance. Though aided by gods, his loyalty to his crew and ingenuity in crises define his mortal heroism.
