Greatness vs popularity: finding the right leaders

When we look back through history, the word used to describe profound leadership was “greatness.” It didn’t matter whether we were talking about a leader on the global stage or right here in the community, there were outstanding examples of great leadership surrounding us. 

Great leaders are those we still talk about today. From Rosa Parks who refused to sit in the ‘coloured section’ of the bus and was arrested for her actions, to Malala Yousafzai getting shot after campaigning for female education. There are leaders throughout history who have followed a sense of conviction. There was a determination to move forward, to progress and while not everyone could see the vision — they kept going. 

It’s these individuals and stories that inspired me to be a leader in the first place. To work hard and build something that the community can connect with and be inspired by. 

But we’re seeing a shift in the concept of leadership. It’s moving away from greatness and towards popularity. Who has the most Twitter followers? Who can put out a grandiose statement on Facebook and have it spread around the world? Who is being influenced by faceless voices on the internet? 

Social media has removed context and put the original premise of leadership into a challenging position. The personas are getting blurred and social media commentary can be coming from anywhere and anyone. The volume of bots and fake social media accounts designed to troll on leaders is increasing by the day. 

But we’re also seeing more and more leaders using social media as their temperature check. Releasing news updates on social media before touching base with legitimate journalists. Quick and snarky comments in response to trolls is only aggravating the problem, not solving anything. 

It’s time for leaders to stop relying on social media as their guide. Instead, let’s surround ourselves with mentors, knowledge-experts and trusted connections and have these important conversations about the future in the same room. Let’s move away from the popularity contests and the celebrity factor.

I’m excited to see leaders who come forward and bring change. Leaders with vision and passion, who are tackling solid issues and can rise above the fray and make the unpopular decisions for the best of the organization. Great leaders who are here today, and tomorrow are still remembered with a powerful legacy. 

Let’s make leadership great again.