This is a series of questions and answers where the questions are asked by participants of Avinash Ananda’s “live” seminars and workshops, and the answers are transcribed from Avinash’s responses
Question from Arnav:
"Avi, you are a Leadership Guru so I wanted to ask you, what is leadership? What are some of your beliefs on leadership?"
Avinash Ananda Answers:
Thank you, Arnav for asking this interesting question! There are many beliefs about leadership that I have learned and adopted from several leaders that I have had the good fortune of interacting with, learning from, and personally coaching from all over the world.
Here are 4 of my fundamental beliefs about leadership! Having these beliefs gives me clarity, and that clarity gives me energy. These beliefs serve as guiding principles for me. Which are often reminders for me to course-correct whenever I interact with others and reflect on my own growth.
1) Leadership is about impact and influence.
In my opinion, leadership is not about power, leadership is about service, contribution, and impact.
Leadership is not about control or using fear, leadership is about influence and about winning hearts. If you influence anyone towards a positive impact, you are a leader.
2) Leadership is not a position, it’s a decision.
The decision to be a leader is a choice and commitment to increase one's influence and positive impact with continuous learning, application, and influencing others.
Leadership is a decision that can be made by anyone. So, if anyone decides, he or she can be a leader.
Leadership is a process and that process begins by making a decision to first know yourself better and then, to develop yourself continuously. Develop yourself so that you have the ability to influence better and to influence more positively.
3) Leadership is about learning, applying, and transmitting.
Leaders develop themselves continuously so that they have the ability to contribute more, to serve more, and to create more leaders. I believe that a good leader is not one who is only looking for followers, a good leader is one who has the ability to create more leaders.
4) The goal of a leader is to lead themselves and others to desired results with happiness.
When you lead yourself with happiness, then that happiness becomes a magnet for whatever you want in life. Success has many levels and wants are never-ending. But when you are leading yourself with happiness, that becomes the fuel to propel you to the next level of success. When you create more leaders to lead with happiness then everyone can enjoy the journey towards success with positive energy. A leader must always be a battery charger for positive emotions in every interaction.
The key beliefs given above on leadership can be summarized and remembered with the acronym L. E. A. D.
Learn, Apply & Transmit Continuously
Emotions matter... Lead with Happiness
Align with Influence and for Impact
Decide to be a Leader of Self
So, happy leading and be happy