Letter to the Editor by Patrick Kahn

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Real leaders don’t try: Thoughts on being genuine

As the hundreds of Student-Leaders of De La Salle University from our many different organizations, and my fellow officers from the University Student Government took their oaths, a myriad of thoughts ran in my head about the journeys ahead of all of us and the stories that come with them. True service isn’t easy, and it has always been a question in my head about how people build themselves to reach what many people view as a thankless job. I gave this a fair bit of thought.

“A leader leads by example whether he intends to or not.” ~Unknown

Most of us want to be “somebody.”

We want to be known and well-respected. In the search of greatness and fulfilment, many of us try to reach a level of distinction where we believe we are leading the pack — an inspiration, a role model, a front runner, a leader.

Define: Leadership

Bookstores are filled with books on the topic, you’ll hear a million different definitions of a leader — all painting the picture of a colourful character with enviable qualities. Powerful, inspirational, intelligent and charismatic. Those are our expectations in those we choose to follow.

Many of us feel deeply about wanting to become that guy for other people. We look for ways to inspire and move others; become a Thatcher, Dr. King or Mandela of our times. We look up to these figures as those who moved millions, and imagine the little ways we can shake the world around us.

We want to put ourselves on top, and we strive for self-improvement.

Authenticity

I remember reading a story about a Roman named Cincinnatus.

Early Rome was under attack by a tribe known as the Aequi, and the vaunted Roman Legions had been surrounded, left unable to defend their homeland. The Roman people desperately needed leadership to save their country, so they chose to approach a man well known for his talent named Cincinnatus.

Cincinnatus was tending to his crops on the outskirts of the city, and was approached by the Senators of Rome. He was to be appointed Dictator, a position with absolute and unquestionable power over the Roman people. After much convincing, Cincinnatus finally took up the position. He swiftly organized the Roman people, recruited all men of fighting age, and immediately set out for battle to save the Roman Legions. His army surrounded the Aequi, and had them defeated and passing under the yoke within mere days. Cincinnatus marched backed into Rome as their savior to the fanfare of the Roman people, who now saw him as their greatest Leader.

Immediately, Cincinnatus relinquished his power and returned to his family and farm, then continued attending to his crops.

A farmer became one of Rome’s greatest leaders, and then returned to being a farmer.

Creating an image, and losing yourself in the process.

Driven by an inner desire to be a light for others, we can sacrifice our own authenticity, self-respect and love for ourselves. Conforming to society’s constructs of leadership, we try to be the smartest, best looking and most popular. This is all for the sake for “being somebody” — and being looked up upon.

We become so busy trying to please others, and become the person with an answer to everything that we lose who we really are.

You can’t give what you don’t have.

We may be able to attain that ideal image of a leader, but we can’t escape our true selves. Are our abilities commensurate to how people view us? Ask yourself: are you really all you claim to be? This is the test of being genuine.

Of course, we may claim that we can “attain” those skills — but society’s current view on leadership is perfection. By trying to reach this construct, we lose who we really are, and become unable to focus on what we can really give. There will never be a truly perfect leader, only those who pretend to be. These are ingenuine leaders.

Genuineness

A true leader doesn’t try to be the best, the greatest and the most inspiring. A leader simply is.

We have to be the kind of people who others observe, learn from and take inspiration from following, and that can only come from deep down our true selves. We are all leaders in our own light, and we create ripples in others through our everyday actions. My life affects yours, and it works two-ways.

The ways we choose to perceive and act on things will affect the collective well-being of the people around you, thus we must learn to lead by example in our actions. We simply have to be conscious to this profound power of self we all have, and we can work from there. You are already somebody, so be that somebody.

Self-diagnosis

I think back about the story of Cincinnatus, and feel inspired by its sheer sense of genuine leadership. He had the position to stay in complete power and prestige over Rome, and he was a people’s hero, but he decided to remain true to his own self without indulging in the rewards of his work.

“Do you pass credit, and take the blame?” This is a proverbial analysis of genuineness. It is easy to indulge ourselves in the fame, the benefits and other great things that come with being in a position of power. The true test is thinking of what you can continue to give, without counting the cost or reward.

We oftentimes encounter people in positions of power who vocally announce every action, or every good thing or piece of work they have done. I question whether people who seek this form of self-validation, no matter their ability, can still call themselves genuine leaders, and if they can pass a self-diagnosis on their true intentions. Are you merely preparing for the next election?

We must simply owe up to our positions in the best way we can, learn from our mistakes, grow then continue to lead and inspire without looking for the benefits in-between. It’s about hard work and dedication.

Whether we realize it or not, everything we do counts, and we can lead quietly.

Lead by example, from wisdom, integrity and trust. Don’t try to be perfect, try to be you, and only the best of you.

Patrick Kahn

Chief Legislator

University Student Government