Here's a simple Truth
Being a leader is not what a lot of people think it is.
There's a certain romanticism that many people associate with leadership.
They think it means being fearless, in-charge, and the ultimate authority within a power structure.
Thus, leadership tends to appeal to people who enjoy power.
Just as common is the unwilling leader: the leader who has the leadership role thrust upon them by their organization with zero say in the matter.
This person is selected to become a leader because of their performance or because of their loyalty to the company – with little attention paid to whether or not they would actually make a good leader.
But the best kind of leader is the Inspirational Leader who empowers others to see their vision to fruition by helping the team to reach their goals.
This is often accomplished when you lead by example, know what constitutes success, and care about the people you want to inspire and show it.
Here's an even simpler Truth
Just like programming, accounting, and project management… leadership is a skill.
It’s a skill that you can have a natural affinity for, and it’s a skill that you can develop and cultivate.
But it’s certainly a skill and one that you need to treat as such when becoming the best leader you can become.
The good news is that while this skill is an innate trait for some, it’s also one that we can train and develop with practice and dedication.
Leaders can be found everywhere!
When I first joined the workforce, like many others, I associated the word leader with people in power at the office. With time, I discovered that people in higher positions could be leaders but a job title didn’t define leadership. There was more to it.
Instead, what defines leadership is the ability to influence others.
A real leader is one who gets things done, is trusted and has the confidence to lead. In fact, leaders are everywhere, even if they don’t carry a specific title that designates them as leaders.
Leadership is defined more by the effect a person has on others and it’s within your power to become a leader in any area of life that you want to.
The Complete Leadership Toolkit gives you a head start.
