'Leaders create better future'

LEADERS of sustainable-growth companies have a strong foundation of personal leadership, mastery of one-on-one relationships and exceptional ability to mobilise the commitment of an entire organisation for excellent performance.

"Leadership affects companies' performance in the marketplace," International Centre for Leadership in Finance (ICLIF) chief executive officer Rajeev Peshawaria said, adding that it is the art of harnessing human energy to create a better future.

Rajeev pointed out the two sources of limitless personal energy - purpose and values - and said that they had to be individually discovered.

"You know that you have done a great job as a leader when your employees continue to work the same way even when you're not around to supervise," he told Business Times after presenting a talk on "Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders" in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.



He is of the view that there is a talented group of people in the country who can be groomed to become good leaders.

"There is huge potential to churn out good leaders in local companies, with the onus on their superiors to pick them out and nurture their skills."

Rajeev cited AirAsia Bhd as a company to emulate for excellent leadership.

Under the stewardship of its founder and group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia has become a renowned brand with a proven track record in profitability, he said.

"Leaders create a better future while bosses cling to the past and cope with the present."

Rajeev also noted the importance of constant dialogues with subordinates on their roles.

"Good bosses will get feedback from employees on how they feel about the working environment and how it can be improved."

Employees are also encouraged to think about their contribution to the company and where they see themselves in the next five to 10 years.

A common misconception about leadership is that leaders are born and not made, Rajeev added.

"Employees were made to believe that leadership is about personality traits. It can be taught through competency models, role play and formulas, and that leadership comes from a position of power," he said, adding that such perception was not entirely true.

Rajeev also observed that employees are sometimes swamped with strategies and plans by the company which they may not even understand.

"It's pointless to have a thick book of strategies which no one understands."

The best way to get maximum results is to simplify all these strategies in one chart with four questions answered as to the "What, Who, Why and How" to increase profits and have an ideal workplace, he said.


-- By June Ramlee