Leader or Boss?

Nothing new about this topic, but how often do people really reflect on their management style? The gap between knowing and doing, determines if you are a dreamer and a rainmaker. The common knowledge that we share is that a leader is one who works and grow alongside the team while a boss waits for his employees to grow for him. The fact where employees are building somebody else’s dream (their boss’s dream), is certainly one of the key reasons why I chose the route as a self-employed building towards my own dream while growing alongside my team which I prefer to call them family.

What is the definition of a good leader?

After all these years of education and experiences such as being student leaders and running my own start ups with a small team, I can honestly say Y2021 has been hell of a ride for me. This question seems to constantly pop up in my head - What is the definition of a good leader? Even after countless burnouts, I never stop challenging myself to brainstorm new ways of developing the team, improving the team and at the same time continue to learn the ropes from my dad. Being a 2nd generation heir, I personally feel that my greatest challenge is to transform the business to fit the new generation’s needs and wants, along with my aim to make a positive change to the industry’s image. Undergoing almost a year of my first leadership appointment in this industry as an Assistant Vice President, these random questions appear in my head from time to time…

1. Is a good leader someone who fishes for his team or someone who teaches his team how to fish and fish alongside them?

2. Is a good leader someone who gives in to obvious excuses or someone who points them out and attempts to help or listen to their problems?

3. Is a good leader someone who puts the company profitability first or team wellness and welfare first?

4. Is a good leader fair by dedicating resources to everyone in the team equally or by dedicating resources based on their capability?

5. Is a good leader someone who fights for the team no matter what it takes or someone who sacrifices his teammates?

To summarize this article, my definition of a good leader? There isn’t a one size fits all or a perfect leader but all I know is that my team is my soul and without my team, I am a nobody. As the Chinese saying go, 有国才有家 (only when there is a country, there will be a place called home). Being respected and chosen as the leader, I will do all it takes to raise the team to greater heights, continuing my dad’s legacy as the new age leader. It is a struggle but also an experience of a lifetime that I am grateful for the opportunity. I will always be thankful for the team and people who have placed their trust in me, standing by my side throughout this journey…