LEADERSHIPPRESENTED BY: MOHAMED EL-MASRI

TWITTER: @MOE_ELMASRI

The Volyoum Institute for Entrepreneurship

www.volyoum.com

Introduction

“No two people can be together for even half an hour without one acquiring

an evident superiority over the other” – Samuel Johnson

It seems evident that we all seek leadership in whatever endeavors that

we pursue. However, leadership requires certain principles, characteristics

and values. Leadership is a personality that an individual has to acquire

through an extensive amount of practice, research and observation. In this

course we will share with you our research and observation of people who

have succeeded and failed in leadership, offering you all the clues you

need, to take charge, and make a success of any opportunity that comes

your way.

Chapter 1: What is Leadership?How do we define leadership? What do we expect from our leaders? How do they benefit our world?

“Leadership involves finding a parade and getting in front of it” – John Naisbitt

Having the courage (the ability to do what you fear doing) to be confident

enough to make people follow you towards your desired goals, while making

them trust you enough to believe that you are looking out for their benefit is a

quality and a half. Leaders must have legitimacy of power. Legitimacy is only

acquired if the people or your target audience approves of your Leadership.

Just like a president of any democratic country must acquire the votes of the

public to hold office. As a leader you must accept the responsibility to look

out for others.

Chapter 1 (Cont’d)

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done

because he wants to do it” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

After acquiring the courage necessary for any leadership position, we must

be able to maintain a convincing persona without putting effort in trying to

convince people. You are a leader not a salesman. You do not need to

convince anyone to jump, they need to understand that you have their

interest in mind, you need to make the people around you your priority. You

give them a sense of independence, making them feel and believe that

they are the elite. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Government is ourselves”.

“Let the people think they govern and they will be governed” – William Penn

Chapter 1 (Cont’d)

Leadership is the fruit of labour and thought. Keep in mind that no matter

how much authority you wish to have or how much legitimacy you think

you have, it will never suffice without showing your positive actions and

maintaining your effort and courage. However, effort and courage is not

enough without purpose and direction.

“Leadership is the capacity to transform vision into reality” – Warren Bennis

And no matter what you do, remember that it will be passed on. Word of

mouth is a powerful tool, use it wisely. As the great Henry Adams said, “A

teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops”.

Chapter 1 (Cont’d)

Great leaders build you up.

As a leader it is necessary to have a purpose. Without a purpose, what

would you be leading for? When you show people that you are guided by

something greater and that your efforts are all done for a greater purpose

you will show the humility and charisma in your character, because you

were able to negate and alter your ego. However, in this case you may

acquire some envy from others, but do not pay attention to that and try to

not stir it up by making them feel smarter than you are. Even in rough times

portray a positive attitude by thinking about positive things.

“Leadership is the capacity and the will to rally men and women to a

common purpose and the character that inspires confidence” – General

Montgomery

Chapter 1 (Cont’d)

“To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of

wisdom and the guidance of virtue” – Buddha

Leadership is the ability to hide your panic from others. When we believe in

a force that is greater than us, and when we agree to the terms and

conditions of virtue (doing actions for the common good), we will be able

to hold our composure and control our emotions. This is necessary for any

successful leader, because “authority doesn’t work without prestige or

prestige without distance” – Charles de Gaulle. Part of being prestigious

requires wisdom and acts of nobility (virtue).

Chapter 1 (Cont’d)

“Leadership is Influence” – John C. Maxwell

Do what is right when no one is watching. There is no need to brag or

boast about your good deeds, because it will only ruin all the good you

have done, people have a tendency to envy, hate and disregard those

who speak about the good they have done only because it makes them

feel less of themselves. So make sure to influence people through actions

and lead by example.

Make a difference.

“A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example” – Niccolo Machiavelli

So as we stated earlier, always act according to virtue, study virtue and the laws of virtue. “Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the positions increases” – John Adams

Chapter 1 (Cont’d)

Chapter 1 (Cont’d)

“Leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along

with people” – Mahatma Gandhi

Through it all, a leader is sociable. The ability to make a positive impact on

people’s lives while enhancing their way of thinking will prove your

empathy towards them. In other words, place yourself inside people’s

minds by listening carefully and engaging in the conversations. Do not

take this the wrong way, do not feel the urge to cut them off or take

charge of the conversation, all you must do is listen, and provide solutions

by asking questions. Leadership is solving problems.

“The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have

stopped leading them” – General Colin Powel

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