Working Woes ......

At a popular 'Bak Kut Teh' shop at the Berkerly Garden in Klang where I was having my breakfast, a table next to me comprising of young executives were discussing on the subject of why leaders fail?

Teng : I believe that a major factor as to why leaders fail is because of their inability to organise details. To me, no genuine leader is ever 'too busy' to organise anything in detail.

Chong : There is also an unwillingness to render humble services as well. I would like to think that truly great leaders must be willing to perform any labor which they would ask another to perform. Am I right?

Tan : Yes. Then, the expectation of pay for what they 'know' instead of what they do with what they know as well.

Donald : What about the fear of competition from his or her followers or supporters?  I am sure all of you knows exactly what I mean?

Chua : And the lack of imagination as well. Without imagination, the leader is incapable of meeting any emergencies and so forth.

Teng : What about, Selfishness? I would say that really great leaders claim none of the honors. They know most men will work harder for recognition than they will for money.

Donald : There is intemperance as well. Do all of you think that the followers or supporters have respect for an intemperate leader?

Chong : Disloyalty is another factor why leaders fail. A leader who is not loyal to his trust cannot long maintain his leadership.

Chua : Emphasis of the 'authority' of leadership. To me, if a leader is a real leader, he or she will have no need at all to advertise that fact except by his conduct. Am I right?

Tan : Yes. The emphasis of 'title' as well. I would say that if the man who makes too much of his title generally has little else to emphasize.

Soon, I finished my breakfast. I enjoyed their discussion and agreed with their list of contributing factors as to why leaders fail.