The Pinnacle of Leadership: Reflections on Great Leaders
When you ask yourself, “who is the greatest leader that you know?”, think of the first person that pops up in your mind. Is it Mother Teresa who left a permanent impact on humanity and taught us invaluable lessons on generosity? Or is it a religious leader who showed you light when you were feeling lost? Maybe, it could be your primary school class teacher who guided you when you were feeling vulnerable and helpless. Or perhaps, simply a friend? Most importantly, it could be your own self. No one could be a better leader to you than yourself in the journey of life.
Humanizing Icons: Leaders Are Imperfect Beings
When we look at the great leaders we have heard about and those who blessed us by crossing paths with us, their public persona could overwhelm us. We unconsciously let our minds stroll through the gardens of curiosity. “Oh, this person is simply amazing. Look at how they articulate their thoughts. Were they born this perfect and faultless?” It is typical that we start wondering and let our thoughts run. But, when you actively try to get to know them, you will stumble upon the revelation that they are simply human, who encounter trials and errors, who walk through valleys and peaks, and who struggle with imperfections and mistakes. They are just like me and you. And, just like us, they also need time to recharge their batteries. Naturally, all great leaders need breaks.
Recharging the Batteries: The Universal Need for Breaks
First of all, let’s endeavor to get a basic idea of the importance of taking breaks. In a world where round-the-clock work is getting applauded, we rarely see any discussions regarding the negative impact of overworking. The consequential physical, mental, and spiritual deterioration could be irreversible. The idea of grinding until the work is done might be appealing at the moment, but it unknowingly affects us by plummeting the quality of our work.
In the twenty-first century, talks about mental health have become quite popular. Seeking psychological help from professionals, joining therapy groups and employing personal therapists and counselors has begun to be the norm. Unfortunately, no amount of therapy could heal you if you do not let yourself have time for recovery. In my lifetime, I have seen amazing and talented people who work tirelessly and ultimately end up burning out themselves. I have seen people who lose their loved ones to the overwhelming obsession with working. This misconception of ceaseless effort as your one-way ticket to success is slowly but surely ruining our society.
Be a World-Changing Leader: Embracing Breaks for Growth
Self-control is one of the most important qualities of a great leader. Knowing your limits is vital when striving to guide and lead others. Taking breaks and vacations here and there will prevent hindering your intellectual and creative skills. Leaders need to think outside of the box and taking breaks will facilitate that potential.
Even machines need rest, fuel, and correct treatment to produce the best output possible. Unlike machines, humans are complex and miraculous. Hence, we definitely need breaks to showcase the pinnacle of our abilities. Like Russell Eric Dobda said, “Taking a break can lead to breakthroughs”. Be a leader that could change the world.
Parami Saubhagya
Content Writer
AIESEC in University of Colombo
