“Great example of leadership.”
Okay…who popped into your mind? Your high school basketball coach? Your first boss after college? George Washington? Margaret Thatcher? Mother Teresa? Lee Iacocca?
Putting Mother Teresa and George Washington in the same category helps to prove my point: leadership is not what you are doing, with whom, and where—it’s who you are being.
Where do you already know you are in a position of leadership? At your church or workplace? In your neighborhood? Consider being a leader in your own family…what does that, or could that, look like? And in your closest relationship?
Assuming the role of a great leader starts with a vision, takes keeping your character strong, and results in making a positive difference for yourself and others.
A term we hear so often now is “influencer,” and I want to make a distinction between influencing and leading.
First, an influencer does not need a vision in order to persuade others and shape their opinions or behaviors. They focus on energizing ideas vs. people. Also, they can be values-neutral, but leadership is not.
Leaders inspire and empower people to intentionally take actions toward creating a positive future—one that aligns with their deepest desires and values.
Note—an essential leadership hat to wear is that of self-leadership. This means you take ownership of your life and are intentional about your presence, actions, and relationships. Success lies within you. You can empower (lead) yourself on your journey by building the mindset, skills, and discipline to unlock your potential.
Do you have a favorite book on leadership? There are thousands to choose from because there is no limit to the way leadership can be described. The image above shows 3 examples of books I edited and published—they are va
stly different perspectives on leadership…each has priceless wisdom for its target audience.
Why do people buy so many leadership books? Strengthening your leadership skills is an investment with a huge return. Don’t just read books on the topic or biographies of great leaders: Step up and learn by doing.
And…there are millions of readers (including me) who hope you write about your journey, your findings, and your message to others about how to become a better leader.
