3rd Commentary... Qn 2

This commentary is also for the article entitled "Let leaders come off the pedestal".

The 2nd qustions asks: He (professor Heifetz) proposes that leadership be thought of as an activity that authority figures exercise only some of the time. Do you agree with this proposal? Justify your answer."

I do not agree that leadership is something that an authority figure can exercise only sometimes. This is because their position as a person of great authority cannot be escaped from. I feel that to be in a leadership position of any sort would require a great amount of responsibility from that person. Even if the person is not doing something important, some people would still judge his or her actions, just because that person is holding an important post.

Authority figures can choose to be as far away from their duties as leaders as they wish to be. But when their followers see them, they would still remain as leaders. They can leave their duties behind and take a break, but they still wield the office.
For example, our Prime Minister Lee is an important authority. So even if he goes on holiday, people would still see him as the Prime Minister of Singapore. No matter what they do, their position chains them to the duties of leadership.

Thus, leadership is not an activity someone can just pick up and put down anytine he or she likes or wants to. Being in any important position, no matter if you are just a class leader, or the President of the United States, you are still a leader, and the duties of leadership belong to you. People will judge you, no matter what you are doing. There is no easy escape from the duties of being a leader.