Everybody can be a leader, but all cannot be effective leaders, as effective leaders have in them extra ingredients that not every leader possesses. It is also true that everybody is a leader regardless of their hierarchical position, from a pauper to a prince and from a peon to a principal, provided they deliver their best, unmindful of their backgrounds.

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Everyone is a Leader
Dr.G.KARTHIKEYAN
Assistant Professor
PG & Research Department of Commerce
(Former Controller of Examinations)
A.V.C.College (Autonomous)
Mannampandal – 609 305
Mayiladuthurai District.

11. Everybody is a leader,
whether you are a CEO,
a middle manager,
a junior manager,
a factory worker,
a janitor,
an entrepreneur, or
a single parent.
The one who leads from the front is a leader.
The one who sets an example is a leader.
The one who walks the talk is a leader.
The one who takes responsibility is a leader.
The one who influences others is a leader.
The one who makes a difference to others is a leader.
As long as people follow the rules of leadership, they are leaders.
Everybody can be a leader, but all cannot be effective leaders, as effective leaders have in
them extra ingredients that not every leader possesses.
It is also true that everybody is a leader regardless of their hierarchical position, from a
pauper to a prince and from a peon to a principal, provided they deliver their best,
unmindful of their backgrounds.
Who Is a Leader?

12. Educators are also leaders as they influence students deeply and shape them into good
citizens. Students spend most of their time in educational institutions. When educators teach
students, they are not sure what is being absorbed or assimilated by them. They have to be
careful about what they say and impart to students. They have to be clear in their statements
as only then will they have an impact on students. When educators teach with passion,
students admire and follow them. Students can go to any extent to support their educators.
Hence, educators also become leaders when they walk their talk through the
dissemination of knowledge, abilities, and skills.
Educators as Leaders

13. There is leadership potential in every individual.
People mostly remain in their comfort zones, and as a result, their leadership potential lies hidden.
When we encourage people, their real leadership potential surfaces.
For some people, the real leadership potential is released only when they are provoked.
For instance, Mahatma Gandhi was a practicing lawyer in South Africa. While traveling in a first-class compartment, he was
thrown out because of racial discrimination. He then realized the extent of the ill-treatment meted out to Indians, and
championed for their rights through peaceful means. It is obvious that the leadership potential had been lying hidden in
Mahatma Gandhi. However, it surfaced only when he was insulted and provoked.
Real leadership potential often is seen only during tough times.
Hard times produce the best leaders.
When we look at it historically, we see several leaders emerged during tough times to navigate the world in the right direction.
Leaders such as Alexander and Abraham Lincoln surfaced during tough times.
For instance, Abraham Lincoln was responsible for uniting America and played a crucial role in the abolition of slavery.
Although his tenure as President of America was short, it is a memorable chapter in American history. Several American
Presidents look up to Lincoln and consider him an example whenever they face challenges.
Everyone Has Leadership Potential

14. Grooming Students as Leaders
Dr. Helen and Alexander Astin of UCLA(University of California, Los Angeles) reveal
interesting findings, such as:
•Every student has the potential to be a leader.
•Leadership cannot be separated from values.
•Leadership skills must be taught.
•Every student will need leadership skills in today’s world.

15. It is a fact that leadership can be taught to students in educational institutions.
When you look at the Armed Forces, you see how it absorbs teenaged and young people into its fold to mold and groom
them as leaders.
You can see that the success rate of military leaders is far higher than civilian leaders.
This is basically because the candidates are picked up at the right age through psychological tools and tests, and are
groomed and provided with feedback. The feedback given in the Armed Forces is rigorous, impartial, and constructive.
Leadership guru “Warren Bennis” was himself a soldier who fought during World War II.
Military personnel also are subjected to many hardships, and that makes them strong leaders.
You cannot create leaders in comfort zones. In fact, true leaders are developed only in effective zones.
Similarly, civilian educational institutions must spot the students with a leadership spark in them, and groom them.
Leadership educators can play a crucial role in developing students into strong leaders.
Students have to be trained through experiential learning, and should be taken into the real world and asked to practice under
the supervision of experienced leadership educators.
Whenever the students make mistakes, the leadership educators will correct and guide them.
At the same time, students must be given regular feedback to enable them to learn their strengths and weaknesses, and then
to overcome their weaknesses, thus excelling as successful leaders.
Grooming Students as Leaders

16. According to social psychologists John French and Bertam Raven, power is divided into five forms—
1. Legitimate power,
2. Coercive Power,
3. Reward Power,
4. Expert Power, and
5. Referent Power.
Leaders and Powers
Leaders are aware of all these powers, and it is usually leaders with referent (5) and expert (4) powers who are
widely respected.
If leaders are good at domain knowledge, they possess expert power.
Those leaders who enjoy referent power can last for a longer time than a leader with legitimate power, coercive
power, and reward power, because people respect such leaders irrespective of their title and designation.
Leaders who possess reward power (3) can enjoy temporary status as leaders; however, the moment they
lose their reward power, people might choose to stay away from them.
Leaders with coercive power (2) are temporarily respected, but once they lose their status, they automatically
lose their leadership status, too. And people detest such leaders who are coercive by nature.
Leaders who have legitimate power (1) can survive as long as they hold their positions, and also may
survive if they deliver their goods effectively while wielding legitimate power.

24. 1. Believe in Yourself 2. Dedication to Work
A leader needs to believe in himself, his mission
and what he is doing. When you have unwavering
faith and belief, you find ways to accomplish things
you want in your life. Difficulties, hardships and
struggle make a true leader more determined to
succeed.
All great leaders remain deeply dedicated to their work. It
doesn’t matter what you are doing, but how you are doing it
that makes the ultimate difference. Great opportunities are
always possible for the one who is dedicated to what he is
doing.
7 leadership lessons from Swami Vivekananda

25. 3. Face The Problem
A true leader will always have a mission and purpose
in life. He will be ready to fight the world for it. You
cannot solve problems by running away from them.
Sooner or later, you will need to face the problems
and conquer your fears. Leaders inspire people to
face problems and find solutions for the benefit of
all.
4. Focus on the goal
The difference in quality of two men lies in their ability
to concentrate. When you focus your mind, energies and
work towards your goals, success is assured. Leaders
who work with single pointed focus are achieve their
goals and vision.
7 leadership lessons from Swami Vivekananda

26. 5. Motivator
Leaders empower their people by believing in them,
trusting them and they rise to greatness as a result. A
leader instills belief in others where they can accomplish
things that they never thought were possible. Swami
Vivekananda preached about the infinite power that
resides in each of us and how it unleashes itself to help
us achieve anything we want.
6. Strong Intentions and Resolutions
A leader always has great intentions, big vision and
the resolution to try until he succeeds. When you are
working on a noble mission with the right intentions,
you may face hurdles, but you will make it in the end.
Important is not to lose focus, change directions or
give up.
Great efforts always lead to great results. Every
problem is a challenge that can be overcome when
7 leadership lessons from Swami Vivekananda

27. 7. Stay Disciplined
A leader knows the rules of the game. He is the one
who sets the benchmark for others to follow. Leaders
take the responsibility, they walk the talk and never
ask their teams to do what they wouldnt do
themselves. A leader sets high expectations, standards
and ideas for others to follow.
To sum up Swami Vivekananda’s life and
selfless leadership, he once said “This life
is short, the vanities of the world are
transient, but they alone live who live for
others, the rest are more dead than alive.”
7 leadership lessons from Swami Vivekananda

28. As parents, you provide direction to your family, care for your children and groom them so they
can grow up with a good character.
As an educator, you mentor your students.
As a salesperson, you serve your customers.
As a pastor in church, you provide sermons.
All these people serve others through some positions and titles. They are all leaders irrespective
of their positions, titles, and ranks, as they serve people. They make a difference in the lives of
people. Hence, everybody is a leader.
Not everybody can become Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, or Martin Luther King Jr., but let
us learn to lead and influence others as best as we can.
Many little drops make a mighty ocean. When all of us lead in a small way, it will make a major
difference to society.
Is Everybody a Leader?