A TIMELESS DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP

Alex Ihama

6d • Transformational Leadership

One of the oldest concepts known to humanity is leadership.

Alongside life, love, purpose, truth, and wisdom, it has shaped civilizations for thousands of years.

Yet, despite centuries of study, leadership remains one of the most misunderstood concepts in the world.

For over 30 years, I have pursued a deeper understanding of leadership.

The more I study it, the more I realize there is still so much to learn.

Over the years, I have written books, developed leadership programs, spoken on platforms around the world, and today have the privilege of coaching senior executives, Olympians, television personalities, senators, entrepreneurs, and other influential leaders.

As my understanding matured, I felt compelled to summarize everything I had learned into one simple definition that people could remember and apply.

It was first published in my book, Welcome to Greatness in 2011, and then The Mystique of Leadership, in 2016.

Since then, it has been quoted at conferences by leadership experts and used as a guiding framework in many organizations.

“Leadership is a spirit that can only be ignited by purpose, sustained by passion and guided by principles.”

— Nosakhare Alex Ihama

Notice that I define leadership as a spirit, not a position.

Let me also be very clear:

“You cannot be voted into leadership, elected into leadership, promoted into leadership, or even hired into leadership. You cannot even be coronated or appointed or anointed into leadership.”

Titles may give you authority, but they cannot ignite the leadership spirit.

Until you discover a calling that you’re willing to die for, your leadership spirit will not be ignited.

Your reason for existing—your purpose—is your first call to leadership.

One of the greatest misconceptions about leadership is the belief that it is primarily about directing, managing, supervising, or even manipulating people.

Leadership is first about your purpose and about leading yourself before leading anyone else.

And don’t confuse your profession with your purpose.

“Don’t confuse what you do for a living with what you were created to do. What you do for a living is your profession. What you were created to do is your purpose. And purpose—and purpose only—ignites the leadership spirit.”

Purpose ignites the spirit. Passion sustains it. Principles guide it.

If this perspective resonates with you, I invite you to continue your leadership journey by visiting www.schoolofgreatness.ca.

Register for one of our free leadership courses, or explore our library of more than 500 transformational courses designed to transform your mindset, leadership, organization, business, personal life, and even nations.

I’ll leave you with the timeless words of Socrates:

“Know thyself.”

For that is where leadership truly begins.

— Nosakhare Alex Ihama

Global Strategist | Executive Coach | Professional Speaker | Author of Welcome to Greatness and The Mystique of Leadership

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A TIMELESS DEFINITION OF LEADERSHIP