30/09/2025
𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐘 | What people think leadership is VS what real leadership is
“If I don’t step up, who will?”
If being a leader were easy, and if it were for everyone, the world would be riddled with idealists and powerhouses. It’s a simple task to assume that their duties require no sweat, that it is something even the passive could do. People often overlook the fact that the rigorous process behind every leader’s output demands the sacrifice of their time, effort, and personal motivations.
To put it into perspective, the masses think being a leader entails showing up in front of the audience wearing vivid colors and obnoxious shirts that represent their organization. They think it’s delivering a rousing speech to a bored crowd, or perhaps smearing their faces all over the block to make sure everyone is aware they have the authority. Maybe that’s a part of it; otherwise, no one would be doing it anymore. It still remains true that spectacles are always crucial to display accomplishments.
At the end of the day, if the people you serve are not able to recognize the tangible and obvious product of your leadership, then all your efforts are basically for naught. When people become the sole witnesses to an event, they become vicious critics. Others wait impatiently for the manifestation of "leadership," for there has to be something they can criticize. That’s why it matters little what happens behind the scenes, whether blood, sweat, and tears were shed. Because so long as a bouquet of roses looks pretty, the blood on its thorns is disregarded. If even one thing goes wrong, you’ll be the subject of scrutiny for the entire duration that you remain in that position.
Although, let’s not forget that no one pushed them to take on this responsibility. It is out of pure passion for the people and a raw hunger for change. To bring about the development they crave with so much fervor, they have decided to willingly take on the saddle, and that means everything that comes with it.
Leaders at the forefront are always the ones to receive the backlash in full force, but that is an expected consequence when you volunteer to carry the entire weight of this burden.
Recognition is also an incentive to aspiring leaders, however, it is sadly short-lived. The attention you garner from this type of work originates from an angle of critical judgment that will deem your efforts useless if you display a mediocre result. Eventually, the praises you received at the beginning of a term will be overshadowed by the onslaught of complaints. Your name will signify incompetence instead of proficiency.
What makes a leader, then, is being faced with all of this negativity and still having the heart to be the voice of the people, to continue being a cornerstone of revolution and improvement despite the brutal grievances sent their way, and to stand unbudging when problems become louder than their goals.
Because what is the purpose of a leader if not to bend for their people?
Leading is not always colorful, full of joy, and accolades. At the same time, it is not black and white, where there is a definite correct choice. A leader uncovers his true self when faced with moral dilemmas. There comes a point where the choices are between something bad and something a little less bad.
Evidently, there are instances where the ones who step up wind up being the individuals least fit to be a leader. This is noticeable in so many contexts, whether academic, local, or global. What is meant to be a noble and principled position is now adorned by a mere poser, rendering the title empty of its true value.
Trust is the biggest weapon leaders can attain. It is immeasurable, and it is a crown given only to those who are deserving. To get to that point, true leaders struggle to convince their subjects that they are worthy. They wage through pressure, sleepless nights, and difficult ultimatums. And when trust is won, what leaders are meant to give back to the people is accountability. Both in success and in failure, leaders must always answer to their roles, because in their hands is not just the future of one, but tens, hundreds, thousands of people.
—Althea Jane Santos
Pubmat by Cedric John Buenviaje
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