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June 11, 2024 • 16 mins

Unlocking Leadership: The Essential Roles of Leaders and Followers

In this episode of 'Winning Without College, host Stuart Takehara dives into the topic of leadership, exploring what makes a true leader and the critical role of followers in any venture's success.

From historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, and Gandhi to contemporary leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, Stuart examines the qualities that set great leaders apart.

He also discusses the importance of empathy, effective communication, adaptability, integrity, and vision.

Whether you're a natural-born leader or aiming to develop leadership skills, this episode provides valuable insights and practical steps to enhance your capabilities.

Join us as we explore the dynamic journey of leadership, emphasizing that everyone's role, leader or follower, is vital to success.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Stuart (00:00):
Today, we're diving into a fascinating topic that

(00:02):
affects each and every one ofus, whether we realize it or not.
That topic is leadership,
and we're going to explore whatmakes a true leader and how
followers play a crucial roleinto the success of any venture.
And welcome to winning without college.
The podcast that helps you develop themindset, habits, and skills you need
to get ahead in business and in life.

(00:23):
And if you enjoy these episodes and youget value from them, if you can do me
a huge favor and just give us reviewand hit that subscribe button, that
way, you'll never miss an episode andit'll tell the algorithm that you really
enjoyed this content and helps us out.
So much
My name is Stuart Takehara yourtransformative career coach dedicated
to helping you unstuck your life.
And today we're going to talkabout leadership and I want

(00:45):
to kick things off with an.
Quote from Alexander Auguste Ledru-Rollin.
He was a French lawyer, politician,and one of the leaders of the
French Revolution in 1848 and
his most famous quote, while in power was
There go my people, I must find outwhere they're going so I can lead them
and that quote highlights is commonmisperception about leadership.

(01:07):
That it's simply about positioning oneselfat the front, just because you're up in
front, doesn't mean that you're a leader.
You remember the game when you werea kid was follow the leader and
everyone lined up in a single file line
just because you're in front, doesnot mean that you're a leader,
true leadership is more than that.
A real leader has a crystalclear vision and guide motivates

(01:28):
and steers others towards it.
Sometimes a leader might evensteer people in a direction
that isn't even immediatelyknown, but they're entrusting
you followers are entrusting youto guide them into the unknown.
They have faith, they have trust andthey have respect for you as a leader.
As to follow you into the darkness.

(01:49):
So what makes someone a good leader?
Is it confidence, quick action.
The ability to inspire others?
And what about followers?
Are they important?
Are they just as importantor are they least important?
Are they just expendable?
Let's dive into all ofthis and so much more
. Let's start first by comparing leaders and followers in the natural world.

(02:11):
Think about worker ants andthe queen ants, or think about
worker bees and queen bees.
The queen is often seen as the leader.
But she would not survive withoutthe diligent work of the workers.
The workers gather food, they protect thehive, the ensure for the queen safety.
However, the queen is necessaryfor the colony survival.

(02:33):
And this relationship shows thatleaders and followers are both
essential,, both leaders and followersplay a unique and critical role to
the success of the task at hand.
Imagine a colony of ants,the queen ant is pivotal.
She lays the eggs that keepsthe colony alive, but who builds
the tunnels who gathers thefood and who protects the nest?

(02:55):
It's the worker's ants.
They don't seek glory or recognition.
They do it because their role iscrucial for the colony success
Without the worker ant ongoing effort, thequeen would not be able to focus on her
role and her attention would be elsewhere.
And the colony would crumble.
The same goes for bees.

(03:15):
The queen bee is a focal point, but thehive survival depends on the worker bees.
They gather the nectar, they make thehoney and they take care of the young.
Their dedication allows the queento continue her essential task of
laying the eggs and this analogyhighlights an important truth,
whether you're a leader or a follower.
Everyone's role is vital tothe success of the outcome.

(03:39):
So now under the big question, whatmakes someone a good leader first off?
A leader needs to believe in themselvesand it needs to believe in their vision.
Second.
A leader needs to be confident.
That's a definitely a key trait.
Without confidence.
It's virtually impossibleto inspire others to follow.

(03:59):
But confidence alone.
Is not enough.
Belief is not enough.
Quick action is critical too.
A leader must be decisiveand willing to take risks.
Even when the path ahead isn't clear.
Third.
Inspiration.
And this may be the mostvital quality to leadership.
A true leader inspires others to betheir best selves, to push beyond their

(04:21):
limits and believe in a shared vision.
This inspiration is what takesa group of individuals and
turns them into a cohesive team.
Think about the historical leaders.
Like Martin Luther King Jr.
Or even a modern leader,like an Elon Musk.
What sets them apart?
It's their confidence in their vision.
Martin Luther king Jr.
had an unwavering beliefin his dream of equality.

(04:44):
He faced immense challenges,but remained steadfast.
Elan Musk envisions a future wherehumans can live on other planets,
people follow them because they projectconfidence and clarity in their vision.
But they also have their share of haters.
They also have their share ofpeople that are out against them.
Any one in a leadership position hasgot to be ready to take some criticism.

(05:07):
You got to have a thick skin.
There's just no way around that.
So we talked about how leaders needto take quick action before when
opportunities arises or a crisis hits.
A good leader acts without hesitation.
They gather the best informationthey can at the time.
They consult with their team.
And they make a choice.
They make a decision.
It might not always bethe perfect decision.

(05:27):
But it is a step forward.
Think of someone like a Jeff Bezos,his quick decisions, and willingness
to take risks have propelledAmazon to incredible Heights.
He didn't wait for perfect condition.
He acted and adjusted along the way.
Now inspiration, we talked aboutthe inspiration, inspiration.
Is a glue that binds a team together,a leader who can ignite passion and

(05:49):
purpose and others can accomplish things.
Others can't even dream about.
Like when you look at someone likean Oprah Winfrey, her ability to
connect with people and to understandtheir struggles and dreams makes
her an inspirational figure.
She empowers others.
To see potential and strivefor it, that kind of leadership
creates a ripple effect.
Where inspired individuals inspire others.

(06:13):
And that creates apowerful wave of change.
So now let's tackle this age old debate.
Are leaders made or born.
And this is a hotly debated topic.
Some argue that leadership qualitiesare innate, that certain people
are just natural born leaders andothers believe that anyone can

(06:33):
develop the skills necessary to lead.
And in reality, I thinkit's a little bit of both.
You see some individuals may havenatural leadership tendencies.
Anyone can cultivate thequalities needed to lead.
When you consider natural bornleaders like a Winston Churchill,
his ability to lead seemed almostinnate from a very young age.
He exhibited qualities ofresilience, courage, and charisma.

(06:56):
Some people may call it asbeing outgoing or social.
He also worked nonstopto refine his skills.
He read all the time learning frommentors and always sought out to improve.
Now, on the other hand, Manyleaders weren't born with
an inherent gift leadership.
They grew into their roles take Gandhi.
For example, he, when he started wasnot a natural leader in the traditional

(07:19):
sense, his journey toward leadership wasmarked by self-discovery and learning.
He cultivated qualities like empathyand patience and non-violent resistance.
It was these qualities.
That defined his leadership style.
And it's important to noteeveryone's leadership style is
different because every individual,every person is different.

(07:39):
So this blend of qualities and learnedskills and past experience highlights an
important truth that anyone can become aleader with the right mindset and effort.
Leadership isn't a fixed trait.
It's a dynamic process ofgrowth and development.
Have you ever watched theTV show, designated survivor

(07:59):
on Netflix in this series?
It starts Kiefer Sutherlandand he was a secretary.
Uh, The secretary of housingand urban development, HUD.
And he was by all accounts basedon the first episode of the series.
And yes, man, he just kinda, it wasa do as you're told kind of guy, but
in a matter of minutes, The worldwas turned upside down and he became
president of the United States.

(08:20):
He was forced into this leadership role ata time where the country has suffered the
greatest loss in the history of the world.
He wasn't a born leader.
He was barely even able to lead his inhis day job as secretary, but he had
to step into the role of president.
People were counting on him.
He had to lead..
And the first few episodes of theseries was a transformation of someone

(08:41):
being thrown into a leadership role.
And the entire series focuses onthe challenges that came with it.
So no matter what your path given theright circumstances, you too, can lead
people, even if you don't think youhave what it takes, because deep down.
I believe everyone has it in themselvesto step up when the time comes.

(09:02):
So if you don't consider yourself aleader right now, but you want to start
developing your leadership skills, whatcan you do to get you on the right path?
Well, here are a few things to consider.
First off empathy, you needto learn how to be empathetic
to other people's situations.
You need to learn how to connectwith others, on an emotional level.
This means genuinely listening toyour team and understanding their

(09:26):
concerns and showing that you care.
Empathy builds a trust andfosters a supportive environment.
A leader who can empathize with theirteam, can create strong cohesive units.
Number two.
You need to clearly articulateyour vision and expectations.
This is effective communication.
A leader must be able to communicate,clearly, their ideas and goals and vision.

(09:53):
This not only involves speakingcommunication, but also listening
and engaging in meaningful dialogue.
Good communication ensures thateveryone is on the same page and
working toward the same goals.
Third.
You need to be flexibleand open to change.
Adaptability is a key inall leadership capacities.

(10:14):
The world is constantly evolvingand a good leader must be
able to pivot when necessary.
This means being open to newideas, willing to take calculated
risks and having the abilityto adjust strategies as needed.
Adaptability keeps a teamresilient and innovative.
Number four.
You must lead with honestyand strong moral principles.

(10:38):
Integrity is what we'retalking about here.
It's the foundation of trust.
And if you don't have trust,you don't have anything else.
A leader who consistently acts withintegrity, earns the respect of their
team and the keyword there is earned.
It's not demanded.
You're not frightened into it.
Leaders earn the respectof their followers.

(10:59):
They don't expect it.
Having high integrity meansbeing transparent, owning up to
mistakes and always striving to do.
what's right.
We've talked about this before.
Leaders have a clear vision of where we'regoing and how they're going to get there.
Visionary leaders can see beyond thepresent and imagine a better future.

(11:20):
They set ambitious goals andinspire others to work towards them.
A clear vision providesdirection and purpose.
Uh, motivating the teamto strive for excellence.
Each of these qualities can bedeveloped with practice and dedication.
Leadership isn't about perfection.
It's about progress.
A good leader can say I was wrong.

(11:41):
A good leader understandswhen they made a bad call.
They give credit where credit is due.
They share in the success.
But they take all the blame.
By focusing on these traits, anyonecan enhance their abilities to lead.
But how do you know if you'rea leader or a follower?
It's essential to recognize thatbeing a follower, isn't a bad thing.

(12:01):
It could be in fact, a good thing.
There are way more followersthan leaders and followers are
vital to any successful endeavor.
They provide support, they bring differentperspectives and they often carry out
the vision with dedication and skill.
If you find fulfillment and supportinga cause or a leader you believe in.
That's just a hugely valuable thing.

(12:21):
So how can you tell if you'rea leader or a follower?
Here are a few questionsthat you can ask yourself.
One.
Do you often find yourself stepping upto take responsibility in group settings?
Do you naturally gravitate towardorganizing and directing activities?
Do people look to you formotivation and guidance?
Are you.
You able to rally othersaround a common goal or vision?

(12:44):
Do you have a clear idea of what youwant to achieve and how to get there?
And are you comfortable making decisionsand accepting the consequences?
If you value teamwork and believe inthe power of collective effort, you
might have the qualities to be a greatleader, but on the flip side, If you
find satisfaction in supporting roles.
Bringing your expertise to the tableand contributing to a larger vision,

(13:06):
without necessarily leading the charge.
You play an equallycrucial role followers.
Who are engaged and committedcan drive a team to new Heights.
So, whether you're a leader or afollower or somewhere in between.
Just remember both rolesare a Central's leaders.
Remember your followers are essential.
Followers.
Remember your leaders are essential..

(13:29):
You need to embrace your uniquecontributions and don't be
afraid to step up and lead.
If you feel a call.
So let's put all this into practice.
Okay.
Whether you see yourself as aleader or a follower, here's
some things that you can do.
First.
Take time to reflect on yourstrengths and areas for improvement.
Understand your natural tendenciesand where you can grow every follower.

(13:51):
Every leader has areas theycan focus on for improvement.
Ask for feedback from your peers,from your mentors, from your team
members, use this feedback toimprove your leadership skills.
And enhance your role asa leader or a follower.
Commit to lifelong learning, readbooks attend workshops seek out
experiences that will help you grow.
Just listening to this podcast showsthat you could have some potential

(14:14):
leadership capabilities becauseyou're trying to better yourself.
Find a mentor who can guide youand provide valuable insights.
And also become a mentor to someoneelse and share your knowledge
and share your experience.
Look for opportunities to lead, whetherit's in your workplace, your community,
or just a personal project, take onresponsibilities that challenge you and

(14:35):
help you develop your leadership skills.
You may not like it.
But you might like it.
You just never know until you start.
And if you're more comfortable in asupporting role, focus on being the best
follower you can be support your leaders.
Contribute your experience andhelp your team achieve its goals.
Remember, leadership is a journey.

(14:56):
It's not a destination.
It's about continuousgrowth and improvement.
Whether you're leading a team orsupporting one, your goal is crucial
to the success of any venture.
And throughout your life.
Remember this, you may be switchingroles at time, you may be wearing a
leadership hat and other times youmay be wearing a followers, hat,

(15:17):
but your role, you as an individual.
Is vital to the success of the overallvision and every person on the team,
every person in the company should beproud of what they're contributing.
So in closing here, I want to encourageyou to embrace your own unique role,
whether it's a leader or a follower, bothare essential, both required dedication,

(15:38):
passion and commitment and reflect onlove, resonates with you and strive to be
the best version of yourself in that role.
Well, that's it for this episode.
If you've got something out ofit, please do me a huge favor
and give us a rating and review.
It tells the algorithm, you enjoy thecontent and it means a world to everyone
who works on this podcast until next time,remember your success doesn't come with

(15:59):
the syllabus, forge your own path, breakthe mold and keep winning without college.
Thanks for listening.
I'll see you in the next episode.
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