We all know about a certain disgraced founder of a fintech company. He became a household name and attained celebrity status when he acted as one of the investors on a show that encourages startup founders. This man’s arrogance and snarky remarks to the contestants were absolutely dull. If it was for TRP, well, it did wonders, but as a leader, entrepreneur, and founder, it was in poor taste. Funny how there were people who found him endearing (the ones who believe that people in power can be obnoxious). While I thought it was just for the show, the man turned out to be a financial fraud. Misappropriating funds and siphoning off money (with his family) from his company. Wow, didn’t see that coming. He even tried to weave innocent stories with his extensive PR team while the company was being investigated. All in vain. What a ‘Slump Tank’.
My article is not about him, his company or the show. It’s about human virtues – why leaders and founders should own it the most.
Why are snobbishness and arrogance synonymous with power and success? You might have come across or heard of haughty people (leaders) who portray arrogance of knowledge (and wealth) and conduct themselves like they own everybody. These people are obviously smart and successful but somehow they come across as despicable beings. And, how do you identify them? They simply fail to respect others.
Irrespective of one’s position, power, or wealth, everyone deserves respect. This is a virtue we have learned as children, mostly from schools and homes. As we grew up, in a race to make ends meet and conquer the world, most of us lost track of virtues. When you go on to become managers, leaders or founders, this humble virtue of respecting others, which may seem trivial, is what will differentiate you and your company culture. People are what constitutes an organization and treating them respectfully matters. As leaders, they have an obligation to set the right path for future leaders. Aspiring leaders will mimic them so why be overbearing?
I don’t mean to say that a person has to be soft, friendly, and pleasant to come across as respectful. That’s not for everyone. You can be short-tempered and still be a leader everyone looks up to. It’s how you treat others that matters. As a leader, in order to command respect, you should not be condescending. Annoyed or not, you don’t need to get personal and demean others’ capabilities. You definitely don’t need to be arrogant. There are respectful ways to put across a point, support or disagree. How they do it is what differentiates a good leader from the pompous ones.
Humility goes a long way. Years down the lane, you are not going to fondly remember a leader you worked with just because he/she was successful in making money. (You might remember eccentric ones, that’s different). You are going to remember a leader who knew how to respect fellow people. A leader who was able to balance power and humility. An intelligent leader who commanded respect not by fear but by displaying virtues and built a healthy work culture. Those are the people who make a difference through their work.
I am sure you have worked with all kinds of people. If you had to think of one of the best leaders you have worked with, chances are, that person was definitely virtuous. I have been fortunate to have worked with commendable managers and leaders. I remember each of them for their behaviour towards work and people. I am not in a corporate environment anymore, but I’ll never forget them.
P.S : Not a suck up.
