Leadership Lessons from "The Secret of Leadership" by Prakash Iyer - PART 1

Leadership Lessons from "The Secret of Leadership" by Prakash Iyer

Leadership is a skill that can be developed over time. It requires a combination of character, passion, discipline, and a positive attitude. Recently I finished reading the book- "The Secret of Leadership" by Prakash Iyer and found it extremely useful for developing leadership qualities and skills. I would recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a good leadership book. While this book has a total of 4 chapters and 60 titles, I would like to summarize this book by taking the best lessons out of it which inspired me. I have named it as part 1 of the blog covering 16 lessons from the book, considering the length of the blog and the learning capacity.

1. The True Character of the Leader Shines Through in Adversity

The author has given a remarkable association of good leadership with a tea bag. Just a tea bag gives the best taste of the tea when it is dipped in hot water, a true leader exhibits the best leadership during times of crisis, adversity, and lack of resources. A True leader is not defined by their successes, but by how they handle adversity. It is during challenging times that a leader's true character shines through. Adversity tests their resilience, determination, and ability to make tough decisions. Instead of crumbling under pressure, a leader rises above it and inspires others to do the same.

❝The hot water test is the good one, for teabags and leaders.

2. Passion, Hunger, and Discipline are Essential for Success

I loved the way the author has used the term PhD for Passion, Hunger, and Discipline. To become a successful leader, one must possess a deep passion for their work. Passion fuels motivation and drives individuals to go the extra mile. Alongside passion, a leader must have an insatiable hunger for knowledge and growth. Continuous learning and improvement are crucial for staying ahead in a rapidly changing world. Additionally, discipline is essential for maintaining focus, consistency, and achieving long-term goals.

❝PhD is the leader's mantra for success. Become the best YOU in the world.

3. Roadblocks or Failure Should Not Stop You from Trying Again

The author has given a beautiful example of a baby giraffe's birth. When the baby falls from the mother's womb, it is kicked by the mother, it flies up in the air and again falls on the ground. this process keeps repeating until it stands on its feet. Failure is an inevitable part of any journey, including the path to leadership. It is important to embrace failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. Leaders understand that failure is not the end but a stepping stone towards success. They learn from their mistakes, adapt their strategies, and persevere until they achieve their goals.

❝No matter how hard you fall, always remember to pick yourself up and get back on your feet.

4. Learn from Real-Life Experiences

The best lessons often come from real-life experiences. Leaders understand the value of gaining practical knowledge through hands-on experiences. They seek out opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge themselves. By stepping out of their comfort zones, leaders expand their horizons and develop a broader perspective. Even if we get a driving license, we learn to drive only by practicing multiple times. A title or a tag doesn't mean that you are very good at it. Only learning on the job will make you good at it.

❝A license is only a permit, not a certificate of authority.

5. Run Your Own Race

Each person's leadership journey is unique, and it is essential to focus on one's own path rather than comparing oneself to others. Leaders understand that success is not a competition but a personal achievement. By focusing on their own goals and progress, leaders can stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset.

"There will always be something bigger and better that you missed out on.

6. Adopt a Leader's Mindset

A leader's mindset is characterized by a strong belief in oneself and the ability to inspire and empower others. Leaders have a clear vision and the determination to turn that vision into reality. They lead by example, set high standards, and motivate their team members to achieve their full potential.

❝Before you start practicing for the run, you need to start believing that you can run.

7. A Positive Attitude Matters

A positive attitude is contagious and can have a significant impact on the overall team morale. Leaders understand the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, even in challenging situations. They inspire optimism, resilience, and a can-do attitude among their team members. A positive attitude not only boosts productivity but also fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment.

❝It is pointless worrying about outcomes you cannot change. Focus instead on what you can change.....When you moan and say this is bad, the mind gets conditioned to look for difficulty in opportunity. And when you say this is good, the mind looks for opportunity in difficulty.

8. Be Consistent

Here the author has presented a beautiful example of the consistency that is exhibited by a farmer, who keeps sowing the seeds, no matter what happens with the seeds, whether they fall on the rocky land or the strong winds kill the tiny saplings or the birds pick away the seeds, or the seeds become trapped between weeds. In each case, the farmer keeps sowing as he knows that there will be a few seeds that will find the fertile conditions and will grow into excellent crops.

Just like farmers, we all have excellent seeds, we just need to keep sowing, have patience, and do not bother if all the seeds do not grow into saplings. Consistency is key to building trust and credibility as a leader. Leaders consistently demonstrate their values, principles, and work ethic.

❝Trying does not guarantee success. But not trying almost certainly ensures failure.

9. Run the Extra Mile & Chase Your Dreams

Who not have heard of Honda Motor Company? Soichiro was a Japanese engineer and his dream was to join the automobile industry. He applied for Toyota motors but was rejected. He remained jobless for a long time and obviously, when you have no money, you are tempted to give up on a dream and pursue something else that at least becomes your daily bread and butter. But Soichiro was determined enough to pursue what he dreamt of. He started making scooters at home. Though he had no money, his neighbors invested in him. And thus Honda Motor Company was born.

Leaders go above and beyond what is expected of them. They are willing to put in the extra effort, time, and resources to achieve exceptional results. Going the extra mile not only sets leaders apart but also inspires their team members to do the same. It creates a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Leaders are driven by their dreams and aspirations. They have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and relentlessly pursue it. By chasing their dreams, leaders inspire others to do the same. They create a sense of purpose and direction, motivating their team members to work towards a common goal.

❝Had Soichiro run merely with his legs, he'd have given up long ago. And the Honda may never have hit the roads.

10. Embrace the "I Can" Attitude

The author has presented a beautiful story of a man from ALaska who had 2 dogs- a black and a white one. he used to showcase dogfights between his both dogs and always bet on the right dog. One women was observing this and one day asked the man, how do you always bet on the right dog? How do you always know, which dog would win. The man replied, I always bet on the dog I had been feeding all week.

There are always these 2 little voices in our head. One is the 'I can' voice, which is positive, asking us to push forward and believe in our power. The other one or the 'I can't' voice is the one that is negative, pessimistic, and asks us to hold back. The voice that you feed will win.

Leaders cultivate a positive "I can" attitude and encourage their team members to do the same. They focus on strengths, build confidence, and empower individuals to overcome challenges. By fostering a can-do mindset, leaders create a culture of achievement and continuous growth.

❝Feed the I can dog. Focus on your strengths and they will grow.

11. Don't Keep Banging on the Closed Door

Have you heard of Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys? As a child, he was very bright and wanted to become a doctor. But he failed his entrance exams and was admission in BSc. He later joined an IT firm and became the co-founder of Infosys. What if he kept on trying for the medical exams? We might have never got Infosys.

Who hasn't heard of Albert Einstein? He wanted to join a polytechnic but didn't clear his entrance. History has it all, what all he has accomplished in life.

Leaders understand that not every opportunity or idea will work out. They recognize when it is time to let go and move on. Instead of wasting time and energy on closed doors, leaders redirect their efforts towards new possibilities. They are adaptable and open to change, always seeking new opportunities for growth and success.

❝The next time you are faced with a failure, look out for the other door. Push it open. And go find your place in the sun.

12. Break Self-Limiting Beliefs

A circus elephant is tied to a small wooden peg hammered into the ground with a metal chain. Being such a powerful animal , he can easily uproot that peg but he does not even try. Why? because as a baby when he tried pulling, the chain would hurt his leg, sometimes make him bleed. He grew up with this notion that if he tries running away or tries pulling the chain, he would hurt himself again but he doen't realize that he has now become a 5000 kg and a 10 feet tall hulk who can even uproot trees.

Self-limiting beliefs can hinder personal and professional growth. Leaders challenge these beliefs and push past their comfort zones. They believe in their abilities and constantly strive to expand their potential. By breaking free from self-imposed limitations, leaders inspire others to do the same.

❝Smash the peg, break your self limiting belief.

13. Discover the truth

There is your truth, there is my truth and then there is truth. Try to seek the truth instead of having some pre-conceived notions or feelings about something or someone and then making the situation worse for your self and your life difficult.

Take instance of a work colleague who you think will always be rude or snap at you. You never approach this colleague because you think that it will always be a bad experience without thinking that one bad experience might be situational or circumstantial, not the ultimate truth.

Leaders seek the truth in every situation. They value honesty, transparency, and integrity. By seeking and embracing the truth, leaders make informed decisions and build trust with their team members. They create an environment where open communication and feedback are encouraged.

❝We don't always wait to discover the truth, we allow our mental stereotypes to take over.

14. Make the Most of What You Have

One day, as a part of mischief, two kids painted the numbers 1,2 and 4 on three goats in a small town near Toronto and let the goats loose inside their school. The next morning, the school authorities began the search for the 3rd missing goat. The whole day they kept on searching for the 3rd goat relentlessly. Did they ever find it? Of course not, because it never existed.

Leaders understand that success is not solely dependent on resources but on how effectively those resources are utilized. They make the most of the available resources, whether it is time, money, or talent. Leaders are resourceful, creative, and find innovative solutions to overcome challenges.

❝Success arrives when you learn to make the most of what you have and not worry about what you don't have.

15. If It's to Be, It's Up to Me

There is a very interesting story about an office in New York. one Monday the employees were amazed to read a notice at the entrance of their office- "The person responsible for your growth died yesterday. The body is kept in the cafeteria and will be there by 2 PM." Each employee went inside one by one out of curiosity. There was a coffin placed in the cafeteria with a mirror inside. Each one of them peeked inside the coffin and saw their own face. It was mentioned on the placard kept inside the coffin- There is only one person who set limits to your growth and that's YOU.

Leaders take ownership and responsibility for their actions and decisions. They do not rely on others to make things happen but instead take the initiative. Leaders understand that they have the power to influence outcomes and create positive change. By taking ownership, leaders inspire accountability and empower their team members.

❝Take charge of your life. Change your mindset and get your thinking right. Set your sails properly.

16. Focus on the next mountain, Stay Hungry

Have you arrived at your final destination? Is there a final destination? What if there is? Will you want to move ahead in your life or grow from there? Make sure there is always another peak to climb, a new milestone to reach, a new challenge to overcome.

Good leaders continue to stretch themselves, always hungry for success and for the next mountain to conquer. Just make sure that there is always something next, something that keeps you moving forward.

❝Be happy to have been able to climb one mountain. But never be satisfied-so you keep looking for newer mountains to climb.

These are few of the most important lessons that I have learnt from this book. There are several others and I will try to do the maximum justice in order to summarize the chapters of this book and cover the same in my next blog.

In conclusion, effective leadership requires a combination of character, passion, discipline, and a positive attitude. By embracing these lessons from "The Secret of Leadership" by Prakash Iyer, individuals can develop their leadership skills and inspire others to achieve greatness.

See you again!!!

Love and Light

LKIA💙💙