When it comes to leadership, there is no one recipe for success. In fact, wise leaders should strive for originality in their leadership, according to Glenn Llopis' article in Forbes.
Mr. Llopis, founder of the Glenn Llopis Group, author, speaker, consultant and Forbes contributor, said, "Wise leaders are the ones whose presence, authenticity and the manner in which they communicate and engage with others is genuine and unique. They quickly earn respect — but realize it takes originality, creativity and uncommon thinking to sustain it."
What makes a leader "original?" According to Mr. Llopis, original leaders don't seek recognition. Instead, they focus on developing new ways they can create an impact — both among employees and in achieving their organizations' mission.
Original leaders are also pioneers, or "constructively disruptive," Mr. Llopis said. They turn differences into opportunities and earn respect for being courageous, and for taking risks that many other leaders would not. Original leaders are also often socially conscious people who believe in doing sustainable work that will be beneficial to others.
"Many executives fear originality because of the unknown. They desperately cling to the status quo, and fail to realize that change is constant," said Rich Melcombe, President and CEO of Richmel Media & Productions, according to Mr. Llopis. "But originality is critical for effective leadership because it's a necessary stepping stone for innovation, efficiency, growth and most importantly, success. Originality is a key ingredient of a complex recipe enabling business growth, and without it, there cannot be innovation."
Leading without originality usually means others have a strong influence over a leader's decisions, or leaders themselves have an unclear sense of direction. According to Mr. Llopis, leaders that lack originality ultimately have a harder time creating a competitive edge.