What's the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable.

I am always inspired learning from other leaders and what they do. Someone who has a “leadership” title and thinks that leadership is all about them and their position never impresses me. One of the most FAQ of leadership is “Are leaders born or made?” perhaps you have been wondering the same thing. The reality is every single one of us is born with all the necessary internal gifting, ability and material to become a leader. The question we should all be asking is “will I make a difference?”

We have to realize that remarkable leaders are normal people but they know that they will make a difference. They do extraordinary things. They have extraordinary leadership qualities.

Here are some of the extraordinary aspects of leadership that I have noticed.

1.   It is not what you look at, it is what you see

In South Africa one of the issues that has been a number one topic in the media is the matter of State Capture. A wealthy immigrant family the Guptas has gained control over South African resources. This resulted from the close friendship that exists between President Jacob Zuma and the Guptas. A report was released which Zuma and at least two of his ministers who are implicated went to court in attempt to stop the release.

In a David and Goliath type scene Bianca Goodson faces the giant. The magnitude of this problem is overwhelming to say the least. It is such an intense web of a well-orchestrated master plan that the Guptas developed and implemented.

Goodson puts her career on the line and has the courage to take on the giant mob. It is notable that Goodson was not intimidated by what she was looking at, but pursued what she could see. She could see a master plan of corruption. Goodson was working for Sage at the time; she was so resolute that she told the Executive of Sage what she was going to do. In addition she offered her resignation if the Executive had any concerns about the backlash that would follow the release of her report. Goodson then releases the most comprehensive report that exposes the Guptas and the State Capture saga. REMARKABLE!

Goodson displays remarkable leadership in that she is not intimidated by what she is looking at. What she was looking at included the size of the problem, retaliation from the Gupta mob, and the fact that she could be unemployed. But rather than focus on that Goodson shows immense courage and sees this master plan and takes the giant on. In the meantime her employer accepts her resignation and turns his back on her. All the while she was hoping that Sage would have her back. What a missed opportunity of remarkable leadership by Sage.

2.   It is not title it is action

Leadership is never about position or the title we hold, it is about what we do. Sage displayed extremely weak leadership by getting rid of Goodson. In steps another remarkable leader, Magda Weirzycka who is the founder of the Sygnia Group and one of the wealthiest women in Africa. She built her company up from scratch. Weirzycka once said “Work hard, take on tasks that no one else wants to do, and stand up for what you believe in.”  True to her word Weirzycka springs to action based on her conviction. She employs Goodson and her comment is “This is one of South Africa’s heroes”. REMARKABLE! This action of Weirzycka is extraordinary and remarkable leadership. I am impressed with the fact that Weirzycka built a company from scratch, but I am more impressed by her action here and remarkable leadership.

3.   Clarity

This is one of my favourite words; I am bias because this is what we aim for with our clients through our company Lucidity. Another matter that was on the news more or less in the same week as the State Capture saga was a case where five cadets at a USA Air force Academy in Colorado Springs found racial slurs on the message boards of the doors to their quarters. Lieutenant General Jay Silveria, the superintendent tackles the matter head on. What he does is he calls a meeting. He addresses a crowd of some 5,500 people that included faculty, coaches, airstrip personnel, 4000 cadets and senior officers and staff of the 10th Air Base Wing that includes the academy. His speech is not just any old speech, but one that is crystal clear in its message and it is delivered with conviction and intent. This is his clear message “If you can’t treat someone from another race or a different color skin with dignity and respect then you need to get out,” REMARKABLE! Lieutenant General Silveria is not intimidated by the political sensitivity and racial backdrop of what is going on in the USA. Silveria displays extraordinary and remarkable leadership by the clarity of his message. 

In a Nutshell

Why is this extraordinary leadership? Because all three of these leaders stood for the greater good and didn’t tolerate low-level systems, regardless of how scary it may have been to take action against those systems, they did it anyway. Every crisis or challenge presents us with opportunity to make a difference. Let’s be REMARKABLE!

Maybe you have a remarkable story to share. Please share it or just leave a comment.