A leader is someone…

It was a Townhall meeting.

A senior executive was presenting. He covered many topics and walked his several employees through quarterly results, performances, how many new clients they signed up, successful projects delivered, etc.,

While concluding his speech, he said, “every one of you are accountable for the achievements and where we are today. I highly appreciate your contribution. Continue what you do, stay strong, be accountable, do not come to me just when you encounter a problem. Approach it, identify possible solutions and then come to me with your recommendations….”

Before he could finish the statement, one energetic youth standing a few yards away from him, raised his hand.

The leader paused his speech and said, “Yes?”

The young man said, “As you are a senior executive, I thought you are here to solve our problems, and that is your responsibility. If you ask us to identify solutions to our problems before we come to you, what is the purpose of your position and you being here?”.

There was pin drop silence.

The executive genuinely smiled at the young man and paused for a while.

And then he asked him, “are you married?”