Soft skill my ass

We all look up to and admire a good leader, impressed by their skill, tenacity, and authenticity. We recognise that rallying people behind a single objective in a mutually beneficial way is extremely difficult. We even recognise that not everyone can be a good leader, and that it takes a special kind of person to fill leadership shoes.

 So, why is it that we call leadership a "soft skill"? Why is it that a "leadership course" shouldn't be longer than four days? Why is it that the teaching of leadership, a skill globally recognised as prolific and difficult, is treated with such contempt? Maybe insecure people in leadership positions don't want competition and downplay proper training. Maybe labelling leadership as a soft skill was a marketing mistake made universities and educators.

 Soft skills...! Don't talk stupid.

 People don't enlist for leadership training for two main reasons: first, leadership is horribly misunderstood. Second, leadership is hard, man. It's not for whimps, regardless of their gender.

 Why do I say leadership is misunderstood? Well, most people think the title is reserved for kings, presidents, politicians, business tycoons and our sports heroes. Simply stated, you don't believe that you could, or should, be a leader - because you don't get what it's about.

 A leader is someone that picks a vision that will benefit others, organises a team to help him or her achieve that vision, and then works relentlessly to make that vision become a reality. Anyone can pick a vision! A school kid, a single mom, or an elderly man on pension can have a vision. You can have a vision. When the vision you pick needs a team to become reality - BOOM! You become a leader.

 That's when you discover how difficult leadership actually is. You've got to juggle people's expectations, moods, resources, communication difficulties, and lastly - your own motivation. It's in the middle of this chaos, standing like the ring master of a crazy circus, frustrated, that you will wish you had some hard core leadership training.

 Don't be diddled, my friend. Leadership is no soft skill. It's a hard life, but the benefits are oh so worth it. Buckle up, it's time to grow.