Leadership is beyond university degrees, speeches - For the past three weeks I have been focusing on the development of a leader in isolation and the kind of responses I got indicate that many were helped and are now committed to applying the knowledge they got. Today, however, I have taken a new twist and I really want to hit hard on what leadership really is. I am praying that my editor will not be on my case for using the title, 'LEADERSHIP: beyond university degrees and speeches', without consulting him as it happens to be the title of my new book coming in a month's time.

Leadership is indeed beyond speeches and university degrees. Leadership is about facing realities and coming up with solutions that work for the good of the system, business, environment and the people concerned.

Speeches are good but they do not always achieve the results wanted as many talk a good game but are not players.

Today we see it across society, especially in politics and business where individuals demonstrate great speeches but are not actors.

Leadership is about taking the led to the future they want.

It is about creating institutions that stand the test of time and deliver the results that are wanted.

Good speeches excite the ear but results change lives. Speeches have been used mistakenly to be the whole mark of leadership.

Leadership goes beyond speaking, it has a great deal of decision making that goes on. The leader has to have wisdom in judgement, putting things together and understanding their consequences.

While speech is effective as a tool for influence, it needs to be coupled with a hands-on practical approach. People will not eat a good mix of words, a good speech will not increase a country's GDP or GNP and a good speech will not move the economy or make any significant changes. It is wisdom in decision, strategic implementation of strategic ideas and a pragmatic approach that gets things done.

Speeches have emerged as a new problem in Africa. Good talk but no results, people who talk the walk and never walk it. As a result, with many natural resources, our progress is very slow. Much time is spent in 'talks', indabas and conferences but on the ground the progress in negligible. Africa needs actors not talkers. Africa needs leadership.

Not saying that these are bad, but why is it that we present good papers, plans and policies but there is no one to follow them through and that strength is our very weakness, our desire for elaboration cripples us.

Political correctness has replaced sincerity in leadership.

Today for example, as we debate on the new constitution, issues regarded as sensitive like homosexuality and abortion are not treated with sincerity. The truth can be evaded and leaders in various circles chose to apply 'PC' to them.

But this is a document that lays the foundations for a nation and the truth has to be said regardless of offense. One has to be sincere and true to their deep belief then whatever the majority believe is endorsed as a new way and true way. Leadership is all about being true to yourself, if a leader can't be true to self, they definitely can't be true to those they lead. You can't live with an inner conflict and home to create rapport and harmony with others.

Talk about degrees. Leadership does not need all that; it needs wisdom that cannot be found in those theories and formulas.

Education is good because it opens one's mind and give them perspective to life but it does not make one a good leader.

It has also emerged as a new African problem, too many masters degree holders in our companies but performance does not reflect that. It means there is a new kind of education needed to get things done.

Something is absolutely wrong. Those who have set in my seminars know this provocative statement i usually put forward . . . and justify, that, "businesses don't fail, leaders do".

The same is with nations, families, churches and other institutions where leaders are found. Everything rises and falls on leadership, leadership is the main determinant factor in progression.

A nation may have resources, both human and natural, it may have many strategic advantages, the same with a company or any other institution but if the leadership factor is wrong and no progress will take place.

It's not the doctorate that brings results, it's the understanding that the doctor has of the situation and how they choose to act.

It's the judgement, the priorities, the intentions, the methods and the strategy that matters and education determines very little of this, referring to formal education.

Leadership therefore has to be about making the human condition better. No leader can claim to be a good leader when the human condition around him is bad.

Leadership is about and for people. Secondly, leadership is about building institutions and strengthening them. A country whose institutions are weak is also weak, so is a company whose institutional apparatus are not intact. Thirdly, leadership is about delivering results. It would be funny to point a good and effective leader in a failing organisation.

Losses every year and the leaders at the top are effective? Forth, leadership is about setting the right example. Show your leadership, don't tell me about it!

Search yourself, search your heart as a leader and imagine if those people knew or if you would want to be led by a leader like you.

Fifth, leadership is about building dreams, the dreams of the nation, the company or the family.

What are these dreams?

If you are a politician, look through your window, look at all the school children and youth passing by and imagine the future, what can you do for them in your time?

What contribution, when they finish school, where are they going? Leadership is about growing those around you to be more than you, mentorship.

One thing leaders are aware of is their mortality, they know they have to find their replacement because they will not be there forever; a leader is a human being.

Hope you were challenged.

See you next week as we explore more. Be the best. Just be the best!

Pascal Nyasha is a motivational speaker and training consultant. He is founder of the Leadership Institute Africa, a personal development and training firm specialising in providing organisational operational, management, leadership and personal success solutions. He is the author of an inspirational book, 'Reaching.

Pascal Nyasha

The Herald/20/09/2011