My Boss, My Leader

How many great leaders do you know?

The answer would be a few, maybe.

Are leaders are born or made?

In fact, this is one of the most frequently asked questions in all kind of leadership development path. To answer this question, let me begin with the definition of Leaders. A leader is a person who influences a group of people towards the achievement of a goal. In simple, a leader is one who goes first and leads by example, so that others are motivated to follow him. According to Jago 1982, good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience.

In my 28 years of life, I’ve seen many kinds of Leaders from various fields. But today I would rather explain in detail of a leader who has a tremendous impact to me and my current life. The person that I am mentioning is my previous Ministry superior named Ms. Chang Sze Ping.

When I think back of the time, when I join as an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer (PTD) in the year 2009. In fact, I never think of becoming a PTD Officer in my entire life. My motive was just to complete my first degree and join any firm to earn. But unfortunately, I was jobless for almost 8 month after my graduation in the year 2006. In early 2007, I got a job offer from a manufacturing firm from Shah Alam. That was my first job. Without any single knowledge of procurement side, I took my first position as Procurement Executive in private firm. Even then, I was happy to learn new things. But my parents were always wanted me to join the Government Sector as no one in my entire family is serving in Government sector.

Later I applied for government job through SPA website. Then, I’ve sat for PTD exam. I did well until the interview level and I received an offer as a contract PTD for two years. Finally, I managed to work as a government officer. Once I became a PTD officer, I realized that I carry a lot of responsibilities to deliver quality service for the public and enhance public service image in the eyes of the people.

Indeed, my first posting as Assistant Director in Budget Division in Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) at Putrajaya. The first person that I met in the Budget Division is my superior, Ms. Chang. She is a small figured Chinese lady whom welcomed me at the first day of my work. At first, I was wondering is that the Boss of Finance Department whom I supposed to meet. But to my surprise she happily introduced herself and described in detail of Finance Department job scope in the first day of my work itself. That’s how I get to know on the Government do’s and don’ts matters.

As my direct superior, Ms. Chang is used advised me all kind of matters. She never fails to boost me especially during my involvement in any kind of jobs. She used to be very punctual. She used to reach office as early as 7.15 am and will be one of the last person go back home. Whenever I asked about the reason why she used to reach office early, it will be none other than better to be early rather than late. Thus, I used to follow her in that timing as well.

Besides that, Ms. Chang is very particular in any facts and figures that been produced. Hence, I will always prepare myself before submitting to her any reports by analyzing and understanding well of that before I knocking on her office door. Even though at the beginning I felt that she is too focused but now I truly understand the reason behind of being so focused. Well, I would say that as PTD Officer, we have to know what are we doing and what we get from that.

One of the leadership skills that I used admire from Ms. Chang is being well managed person in the Organization. As we know, large tasks should be broken up into a series of small tasks. By creating small manageable tasks, the entire task will eventually be accomplished. As a Manager, she used to be accountable in her all actions with respect to her subordinates. She has always reminds me that being a great boss doesn't mean being the subordinates’ friend. In fact, it means providing direction and then doing everything you can to make sure your subordinates are allowed to do their jobs.

Based on my two continuous years of observation, Ms. Chang is one of a person whom never fails to acknowledge any of her subordinates including me in any time. In simple, I would say that she has made acknowledgement as a routine part of her communication with us. She used to be accurate in the acknowledgement part and this gives weight to in her praise all time. She used to advise me that frequent acknowledgement also makes any discussions easier when problems occur.

Time management plays an important role in any leadership path. Time in the organization is constant and irreversible. Time keeps getting away and we have trouble controlling it. No matter what their position, they cannot stop time, they cannot slow it down, nor can they speed it up. Thus, time needs to be effectively managed to be effective. As a Leader, Ms. Chang has numerous demands on her limited time. I never had seen Ms. Chang procrastinate her job in any time. She is a person with highly sense of urgency in her. She used to advise me in doing urgent rather than important tasks.

As a time saver, Ms. Chang used to do a complete checklist and to do list in doing her routine jobs. She used to say that poor planning and lack of contingency plans will fail our routine work. She has taught me the right way in doing job and delegating my jobs with other subordinates. These will always create a win-win situation to us. She is a great woman in handling correspondence expeditiously with quick, short letters and memos. This will help her not to waste her time or other people’s precious time as well.

I still remember the day Ms. Chang assessed me for the first yearly evaluation report called Laporan Penilaian Prestasi Tahunan (LNPT) in my Government Position. She called me up in her room and both of us go thorough one by one section with comprehensive explanation. With that I know my strengths and weakness from the Manager’s view. After the long and detailed discussion, I knew what she wants from me and what is she expecting my work. I think not all the bosses do as what she did to me. Till now, I remember all her words and great.

Other than that, Ms. Chang used guide me in throwing new and creative ideas from time to time. One of the ideas that I have voiced out in my Organization is compiling all the course details of a person who attend for any Courses in a single book to ease the process of monitoring. She has brought out this idea to the higher management and my Big Boss has given green light to do so. This helps us to monitor out department employees yearly course attendance from time to time.

Ms. Chang used to be my grammar teacher in constructing a good sentence especially in meeting minutes. I am still keeping all the correction that she has done in my paper reports/presentation with me. Sometimes, I used to read it again and again in order not to do the same mistakes in a second time. I admire the sentences that she used in all of her report or minutes writing skills.

On the other hand, one of the mistakes that I witnessed from my superior is being a workaholic. Sometimes, she used to skip her lunch just to complete her work in hand. Working hard in the right amount is a good habit. But overworking is a bad habit. In fact, working too hard can lead to compromising one’s health. But sometimes I will be knocking her door to ask on her lunch if I see her busy schedule.

The habits of successful people are well known and widely talked about. Everyone wants to become better person in each day of their life. Becoming a leader is not a one day story. If we have the desire and willpower, we can become an effective leader. There are few resources to become a better leader. For example,

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

If you want to be a great leader and gain respect among employees you need to have earned your stripes. Showing them you are still willing to roll up your sleeves when necessary to get the job done goes a long way in regards to what you'll get back in return. Encourage self-sufficiency and serve as a guide.

Build Your Team and Know Your People

This is also one of the most important things as a leader to build our own team. Believe in our people, listen to them, and let them help us to find effective solutions. Usually, the best ideas come from the front line. Besides that, as a leader, one has to know your people. It’s not necessary being best friends or even socialize outside work, but you do have to know what makes them tick.

As a leader we need to know something about their personal lives because their lives outside work matter. Their lives outside work drive a great deal of their success (or lack of) at work. The more you know your people the more common ground you’re likely to find, the more you’ll be able to connect.

Leaders have a Vision

According to Theodore M. Hesburgh, the very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet. This is also a great resource in becoming a leader. A leader keeps the team, department or company focused on the vision, seeing the big picture and keeping everything headed in the right direction.

Care and Act with Consideration

Leadership is not power over others. In fact, leadership is about empowering others through service. To become a successful leader care and act always needed. Never ignore anyone for anything. Caring and inspiring others will always lead to success road.

Have a Good Communication Skill

Having good communication skill is a must for a successful leader. Regardless of the size of your organization whether it's a large corporation, a small company, or even a home-based business you need good communication skills if you want to succeed. Many leaders spend hours crafting the words when they want to communicate – especially when they have an important or sensitive message they have to deliver. Vocal impact is important as well.

Leaders are good planners

A leader is a person who never fails to plan. Planning indeed is a part of leadership skills as well. The effective use of planning will do more than any other competency to advance both getting the job done and keeping the group together. Planning is a “core competency.” It offers a general conceptual framework to integrate a variety of related skills, including problem-solving, scheduling, time management, performance appraisal, negotiation, and conflict resolution. By following a proven planning structure, one can improve the number and quality of options available at each step of the process. This produces improved outcomes.

Leaders are Good Counselor

Counseling employs simple, lay coaching and communication techniques. As a leader, people will come to you with problems. Because you are a leader, you will spot people with problems. You can't turn them away or just let them suffer, because the ignored problem, if serious, will almost inevitably become a group problem. “Counseling” is sometimes just another word for “listening.” When troubled, many times it helps the individual to just talk it out, to voice their concerns and express what’s troubling them. Just having their worries or problems heard by another gives the person a sense that his or her problems are legitimate, thus perhaps increasing their self-esteem and their feelings of adequacy in handling the situation.

Have Sense of Urgency

True urgency is a gut-level determination to move and win, now. A great leader used to come to work each day determined to achieve something important, and they shed irrelevant activities to move faster and smarter. Instead, they move boldly toward the future-sharply on the lookout for the hazards and the opportunities that change brings.

Be Brave and Honest.

Leaders are brave and always honest in the actions. Cowardly leaders will shy away from any number of situations that crop up regularly when running a team. As a great leader, one will learn how to present things to the team in an honest way but balanced manner.

Have Passion in All

If you want to be successful at your job and move up the company ladder you need to be passionate about your work. You need to be motivated and driven to be the best you can be regardless of your job or your work. A leader without passion isn’t a leader. He or she is a paper pusher. Passion drives a lot, and you can inspire so much in others through your own passion and enthusiasm.

Leaders Never Quit Trying

A leader is a person who always keeps trying till he/she finds a solution. In simple, a leader never quit trying. Success doesn’t come easy, so giving up early is a sure way to fail. Keep trying till you reach success.

In conclusion, leaders can achieve success through a combination of having a clear vision of the way forward, honest communication, effective teamwork, and demonstrating that they value the people who work for them. Developing leadership potential also involves matching individual talents with organizational need, and building skills that both enhance performance and play to individual strengths. Leadership is not a one day job to settle off. It’s indeed a lifelong never ending process. Remember that some of the greatest leaders weren’t always the ones who were born with the most charisma. Sometimes they were humble men who simply stood up and cared for the people around them.

References
How Successful People Think, by John C. Maxwell, 2009

2. A Sense of Urgency, by John P. Kotter, 2008
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Steven R. Covey, 2004