Alright, let’s get real. Leadership today isn’t about sitting in a fancy office, barking orders, and sipping overpriced lattes. It’s about relating, strategizing, and outsmarting the competition, just like Joko Widodo, aka Jokowi, the chill yet strategic President of Indonesia who went from furniture salesman to the highest office in the land.
If you want to be the kind of leader people actually respect (and not just tolerate), take a page from Jokowi’s playbook. These eight leadership hacks will help you dominate in politics, business, or even your group project.
1. The “Man of the People” Move
Jokowi didn’t start with privilege. He connected with everyday people, showing up in markets and side streets instead of hiding in a high-rise.
Lesson: Drop the ego. Be approachable. Whether you’re leading a team or running a startup, listen to the people on the ground. Your team will trust you more if they see you as one of them, not a distant boss in a suit.
2. Master the Art of “Blusukan”
Jokowi popularized blusukan, random, unannounced visits to communities. Instead of relying on reports, he saw problems firsthand.
Lesson: Stop making decisions from behind a screen. Get your hands dirty. Want to launch a successful product? Talk to your customers. Want to manage a team? Understand their struggles. Experience is your best teacher.
3. Simplicity Wins
Jokowi keeps his speeches, strategies, and policies simple yet effective. No unnecessary jargon, no confusing complexity, just direct, action-packed leadership.
Lesson: Complexity is overrated. Clarity wins. Whether you’re pitching an idea or leading a meeting, keep it simple, clear, and straight to the point.
4. The Power of the Soft Touch
Unlike aggressive politicians, Jokowi uses diplomacy and calm decision-making. He’s the opposite of a power-hungry dictator.
Lesson: You don’t have to be loud to be strong. Control your emotions. A calm leader is far more powerful than an impulsive one.
5. Use Social Media Like a Pro
Jokowi’s team knows how to leverage social media to connect with the younger generation. His posts are relatable, engaging, and direct.
Lesson: Your online presence matters. Want to be taken seriously? Show up online. Whether you’re building a personal brand or running a business, social media is your power tool.
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6. Solve Problems, Don’t Just Complain
Jokowi doesn’t waste time pointing fingers. He focuses on solutions and gets things done.
Lesson: Complaining is easy. Fixing things is leadership. If you see a problem, don’t wait, be the one who takes action.
7. Be a Relatable, Down-to-Earth Leader
Jokowi isn’t flashy. He wears simple shirts, rides a bike, and makes leadership look effortless.
Lesson: Drop the need to “look important.” People follow those they trust, not those who try too hard.
8. Take Criticism Like a Champ
In politics, criticism is a given. Instead of being defensive, Jokowi listens, adapts, and keeps moving forward.
Lesson: Feedback is gold. If someone criticizes you, don’t shut down. Learn from it. Use it to improve and outshine your competition.
Ready to Level Up Your Leadership?
If you want to lead like Jokowi, start by being real, relatable, and action-oriented. And if you’re serious about making an impact, check out the Neewer Ring Light on Amazon, it’s a small investment in looking and sounding like a pro (because let’s be real, nobody takes bad lighting seriously).