It’s tempting sometimes to think that you need to be “in charge” to be a leader. Maybe you need a corner office with an important title and people around you who say “yes, sir” or “yes, ma’am” every time you have an idea.
It’s also tempting to find one way to lead and then stick to it without regard for growing and improving and becoming more than you are or were or thought you should be.
You Must Lead Where You Are
The truth is, we are all leaders in one way or another — at work, church, school, or home – and we’re all given opportunities to lead. It doesn’t matter if you’re a mom or a dad, an employee or an employer, a teacher, a preacher, or just a good friend. You are a leader. You should lead where you are.
Opportunities to lead come in countless shapes and sizes and our responsibility is to be alert, ready, willing, and able to embrace them.
Probably my favorite leadership ideal is simply: What great leaders require, great leaders must inspire because even the best leaders can learn a thing or two about how to inspire their team. Thankfully, some of our best and brightest leaders throughout history left behind some great soundbites to help lead the way.
Here’s my favorite from John Quincy Adams:
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
How Will You Lead Where You Are Today
So, the question is, what are you doing today that will allow the people around you to dream, learn, do, and become?
Another great leadership lesson is the fact that the best leaders are also the best, most curious learners. JFK said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other,” and I agree.
What are you learning about yourself, your organization, your family, or your peers that you can share this week?
Do you have leadership thoughts you’d like to share? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear them.
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