The blog questions the usual yardsticks of leadership success—Power, Title, and Money (PTM). It warns that relying on these can create what it calls “Bonsai Leaders”: leaders who look impressive on the outside but lack real depth, resilience, and lasting impact. Drawing from Dr. R. Gopalakrishnan’s The Bonsai Manager, it reminds us that careers, like bonsai trees, may appear polished yet remain fruitless and unable to provide true value.
Real success, the author argues, comes from a very different path—one built on continuous learning, honing s****s, finding a meaningful voice in the organization, embracing challenges, and making contributions that matter. Whether through ****ter systems, smarter processes, or fresh ideas, such contributions create enduring value that goes beyond traditional corporate scoreboards.
Citing Dr. Marla Gottschalk, the piece highlights that leadership growth happens when roles stretch your abilities and enrich both your organization and personal practice. The outlook of badminton champion Kidambi Srikanth further strengthens this view: true success is found in growth and joy in the journey, not in titles or applause. Without this mindset, leaders risk becoming admired but hollow—like bonsais, celebrated yet without substance.
Read more:- https://growthsqapes.com/the-t....rue-measure-of-your-