By Dr Wilfred Isak April
Let us redefine “entrepreneurial leadership”. When you hear the word leader what comes to mind first: Politics, work, title or a position?
There is more to leadership than what we think. We can say it is a way of thinking or perhaps our mind-set. Most managers and even at times politicians are usually seen as great leaders. However, not in all instances, as some do really fall short of displaying the qualities of outstanding leadership.
I want you to take a minute and think about the choir or orchestra conductor. Entrepreneurial leadership is what you do when no one else is watching.
What are our daily experiences in terms of leadership in Namibia? We usually have people who tell us what to do, but interesting enough they fall short at following their own advice. Leaders usually do that because of their big egos. They bring others down to make themselves feel more important. For such leaders, if anything fails in a team, they blame the team.
Namibians this is not the correct approach. Do you have an idea why some leaders do that? The reason is quiet simple they do not want their own incompetence to come through. Nowadays,
it is very hard to find a manager or entrepreneur who will admit his or her weakness.
However, change is possible and today is not about blaming others. Through this column, I want us to redefine “entrepreneurial leadership” and think of ways we wish to empower each other as we move into 2015.
If you seriously and honestly really want to be a great “entrepreneurial leader” you must first become a great leader in your life. The core of leading effectively lies in your ability to transfer your beliefs to those around you.
I would like to leave you with a couple of pointers you could perhaps discuss over the festive season as you draw up your resolutions for 2015.
Namibians like to look at challenges and opportunities from different perspectives. There is always a danger of managing situations from the way you see the world. The way you view the world is maybe not as important as the way the people you are trying to lead see the world.
As human beings, I have realised that we are usually connected through common experiences. I remember last month travelling through the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, and someone from Namibia greeting me. We immediately connected because we were from the “land of the brave”. Sometimes as soccer fans you would go into Shoprite and find someone wearing the Manchester or Black Africa jersey, and it might be one of your favourite teams. There is always an immediate connection and in “entrepreneurial leadership” connection is key.
When there is no connection, it is like two people watching the same soccer match, but relating the play completely differently. I am not saying that you should become a copycat in 2015, but apply holistic judgment before implementing your plan of action.
Try and understand where others are coming from as that can have a huge impact on how you are viewed as a leader. Never forget to focus on motivating and influencing others.
Leadership, management and entrepreneurship are mutually exclusive. Sometimes a junior person can become a more effective leader, because people want to follow the junior person. There are usually two terms used to describe this, “willingness and intent”. If you have the willingness to listen to others and make choices based on serving their needs, you are definitely moving in a positive direction.
Combine “willingness and intent” and people will definitely follow you. Being an excellent entrepreneurial leader is not easy, as it requires a lot of effort and people do not appreciate what you do. This is why some managers never become effective leaders.
Namibians just strive to be your better best in 2015 and I am sure your dreams will come true.
*Dr Wilfred Isak April holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship from New Zealand. He currently lectures Entrepreneurship and Principles of Management at the University of Namibia.