‘You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims.’
HARRIET WOODS
The major leadership challenge today is that of putting someone down to elevate ourself. True leaders usually stand tall without standing on someone while mediocre leaders believe they can only stand tall when others are being tramped upon.
This scenario is so rampart these days in all spheres of human endeavors. In politics, corporate organisations, government institutions (ministries, department and agencies) and even churches. The issue of putting others down to elevate oneself is very rampart in any union, association, group, organisation and institution with two or more people. The essence of this practice is to demonstrate to others that we’re better off.
This action is usually motivated by greed, inferiority complex, envy and hatred. The truth of the matter is that we can make excellent impact in our various areas of expertise without having to put others down. Some of the methods being employed to put others down are deliberate lying, undue criticism of good intention and suggestions, sabotage, open rebuke, abuse and ridicule.
To excel and move ahead in your career, relationship and place of work this year, resolve not to run others down to gain promotion, favour and approval. Instead, your emphasis this year should be on lifting others up, as you go up the ladder of success. Helping others to reach their goal has a way of motivating them to help you reach your own goal as well. This is supported by the word of Zig Ziglar that ‘When you choose to be pleasant and positive in the way you treat others, you have also chosen, in most cases, how you are going to be treated others.’
Is anyone standing on your way of promotion, favour and approval by any act of sabotage? Never be discouraged. Remain positive and never pay the person back. Just keep doing your best at all times. Your positive impacts will soon be noticed by all and your promotion thus becomes clear for all to see.
Be determined not to bring anybody down for the purpose of winning promotion, affection, favour and support, this year. It usually has a boomerang effect. Learn to stand tall without standing on others.
Ajiboro Ayodeji is a Chartered HR Practitioner based in Lagos, Nigeria. Tel: 2348027807452. Email: jibdej@gmail.com.
