What Leadership Is and What Leadership Is Not

The Leadership Awakening: Pillars of True Influence, Integrity & Impact

By MUKADAM AJETUNMOBI

4/14/20254 min read

man in black suit jacket holding black smartphone
man in black suit jacket holding black smartphone

What Leadership Is

1. Leadership Is About Responsibility, Not Authority

“Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.”

  • Leadership is about taking responsibility for the well-being of others. It is not about asserting authority or exercising control. A true leader does not focus on their position, but on serving and empowering others to reach their potential.

2. Leadership Is About Consciousness and Awareness

“If you are not aware of what’s happening within you, you cannot lead anything, let alone other people.”

  • Awareness is the foundation of true leadership. A leader must be deeply aware of their own emotions, thoughts, and actions in order to make effective, conscious decisions. Leadership is rooted in inner clarity and self-mastery.

3. Leadership Is About Influence, Not Control

“The best leaders are those who can influence people to bring about positive change, not those who control them.”

  • A true leader does not use force or control to achieve results. Instead, they influence and inspire others by leading through example. Influence is a natural extension of one’s integrity, vision, and values.

    4. Leadership Is About Empowering Others

“A leader’s job is not to be the best but to make others the best.”

  • True leadership is about empowering others. A leader’s role is not to seek personal recognition but to enable and inspire others to reach their highest potential. This is the essence of servant leadership.

5. Leadership Is About Vision, Not Ego

“A leader must be able to see what others cannot see. Leadership comes from having a deeper vision of life, not from ego.”

  • Leadership is not about self-interest or personal gain. Instead, it is about seeing beyond the present moment and envisioning a future that benefits the collective. A leader is guided by a vision rooted in a deep understanding of life, not by ego-driven ambitions.

6. Leadership Is About Service, Not Self-Promotion

“True leadership is about service to others. When you serve, you elevate everyone around you.”

  • leadership should be driven by a desire to serve rather than by self-promotion. A leader serves the greater good and helps uplift those around them. True leaders focus on creating a positive impact rather than seeking power or fame.

7. Leadership Is About Inner Peace, Not Conflict

“A leader must be at peace within themselves, so they can lead others without creating conflict.”

  • Inner peace is crucial to leadership. A leader who is at peace within themselves will not create conflict outside of themselves. They can make decisions from a place of clarity and calm, rather than from stress, emotion, or instability.

8. Leadership Is About Creating Solutions, Not Problems

“A true leader is one who brings solutions to every situation, not one who highlights the problems.”

  • Leadership is about being solution-oriented. A true leader doesn't dwell on the problems but focuses on finding solutions. They are proactive in addressing challenges and bringing about positive change.

9. Leadership Is About Evolving, Not Stagnating

“Leadership is about constantly evolving, both within yourself and in the world.”

  • Leadership requires continuous growth and evolution. A leader should be committed to personal development and spiritual growth, as well as adapting to changing circumstances. The true leader is never static but is always learning, growing, and evolving.

10. Leadership Is About Contribution, Not Achievement

“True leadership is not about achieving success for yourself but about contributing to the success of others.”

  • True leadership is about contribution to the greater good. A leadership is not about personal achievement or accolades, but about contributing to something larger than yourself. The goal of leadership is to leave behind a positive, enduring impact.

What Leadership Is Not

1. Leadership Is Not About Titles or Positions

“Leadership is not about the title you hold; it is about the impact you create.”

  • Leadership is not defined by your position or title. A person does not need to be a CEO or a manager to be a leader. True leadership is about the influence and impact you have, not the title you hold.

2. Leadership Is Not About Power or Control

“A leader is not someone who controls others, but someone who enables others to find their own path.”

  • Leadership is not about exerting power or control over others. A leadership should not come from dominance or manipulation but from empowerment, freedom, and enabling others to lead their own lives.

3. Leadership Is Not About Ego

“If leadership is driven by ego, it will lead to destruction. True leadership transcends ego.”

  • Leadership is not about satisfying the ego or asserting superiority. A leader who is driven by ego will ultimately fail to inspire or connect with others. Ego-driven leadership creates division, while selfless leadership unites people.

4. Leadership Is Not About Perfection

“A leader does not have to be perfect. The best leaders are those who acknowledge their flaws and work on them.”

  • Leadership is not about being flawless. It is about acknowledging and working on your weaknesses, being transparent, and growing in your ability to serve others. Perfection in leadership is unrealistic, and striving for it can hinder growth.

5. Leadership Is Not About Immediate Gratification

“Leadership is not about quick rewards. It is about the long-term journey of service.”

  • Leadership is a long-term commitment. It is not about instant results or short-term gratification. A true leader works for the long-term well-being of their followers and organization, even if it means delaying immediate rewards.

6. Leadership Is Not About Manipulating Others

“Leaders do not manipulate others to achieve their ends. They inspire and motivate others to achieve a shared vision.”

  • Manipulation is not leadership. A true leaders inspire and motivate people to follow a common goal, not manipulate or deceive them for personal gain. Leadership must be based on honesty and authenticity.

Conclusion

This perspective on leadership is deeply spiritual and centered around inner transformation and conscious awareness. True leadership, according to him, is about serving others, empowering them, and creating a positive impact on the world, all while transcending ego and control. It is about leading from a place of authenticity, clarity, and purpose. Leadership is not about titles, positions, or power, but about responsibility, service, and contribution to the greater good.