bhaskar saikia

There’s a quote that goes something like this: “If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader—sell ice cream.” It sounds witty, but it carries a hard truth. Leadership is not about pleasing people. In fact, it is often the opposite.

Being a leader is a lonely job. It means carrying the weight of decisions that others may not understand, let alone agree with. It means living with criticism, doubt, and resistance. And yet, it also means moving forward with clarity, conviction, and vision.

Why do leaders have to make unpopular decisions? Because true leadership looks far ahead. While most people plan for the weekend, a leader must think 5, 10, or even 20 years into the future. That foresight inevitably clashes with short-term desires. People want instant gratification; a leader must think about lasting impact.

That’s why leadership requires curiosity and imagination. A leader is not content with what is, but driven by what could be. Where others see comfort in the present, a leader envisions possibilities that demand change, sacrifice, and patience.

And because of that, leaders are rarely loved in the moment. Their choices can feel harsh, their foresight unnecessary, their discipline inconvenient. It is only in hindsight—when time reveals the wisdom of their vision—that their true worth is recognized.

So yes, the ice cream seller will always be universally loved. He offers sweetness without challenge, comfort without demand. But leaders? They push, stretch, and disrupt. They are often loathed while they live their vision, and only celebrated once their vision comes true.

That is the cost—and the quiet dignity—of leadership.