Let’s All Become Leaders in the New Year

The world is changing, and it’s time for individuals to take responsibility for their own lives. Consequently, the role of a leader is evolving too. It’s no longer about leading followers in an authoritarian era, but about fostering an individual-centric organizational culture where people work autonomously. This era demands the enhancement of self-leadership based on inner strength. It’s a self-evident truth that one must be able to lead oneself before leading others. In the past, leaders could exert coercive power over others through their positional authority, so this aspect wasn’t emphasized as much.

Even if you don’t aim to be a leader, self-leadership is an essential virtue for pursuing personal development and happiness. Without it, one can neither work well nor avoid a life filled with stress and suffering. What happens when life feels meaningless, or when what you consider important constantly changes? What kind of life unfolds when greed prevails over contributing? What future lies ahead for those with narrow, self-centered thinking? Can people lacking confidence or displaying arrogance have harmonious relationships? Is there glory waiting for those clinging to past successes in a changing world?

There’s no need for grand gestures to develop self-leadership. I believe the essence of self-leadership lies in the opposite of the scenarios listed above. It includes having a firm belief in the meaning and value of life, striving to be useful based on trust, making choices that prioritize the greater good, communicating with confidence and humility, and continuously seeking innovative change.

People are drawn to those who are upright and true to their lives. By embodying these five virtues of self-leadership, you will naturally step up as a leader that people admire. Why don’t we all shake off our old ways and step onto the path of becoming leaders in the new year?”

YB