Are You Waiting to Lead? – Part 2
You can choose to be a leader and make a difference wherever you are. Some people think “when I get to the top, then I’ll learn to lead.” Some people say, “When I get this position, then I will lead,” “When I get to the top, then I will learn more,” “When I get promoted, then I’ll act like a leader.” The people with these thoughts will never become leaders. They’ll always be “want-to-be leaders.”
Leadership is learned in the trenches.
Leading where you are prepares you for some of the greater responsibilities you will have as your leadership grows. But the only way it can grow is if you are leading where you are today. It will never grow without it.
Some people think if they were on top, others would follow them. See, people without leadership experience tend to overestimate the importance of a leadership title. It’s not the title that makes a leader; it’s the ability to act and influence others in a meaningful and purposeful way and to keep them focused and moving forward through the challenges, adversities and setbacks as well as through the victories and good times.
You can grant someone a title, but you can’t grant the ability to lead. That is decided by the followers. Influence must be earned. Good leaders gain an influence beyond their title or position. Bad leaders will shrink their position to a lesser role.
The truth is people’s beliefs, attitudes and state of mind determine their status as leaders. Whether you manage a team of people or you are a parent who wants to positively influence your children, there are countless opportunities to step up and be a tremendous leader. We have leaders consisting of parents, students, teachers and preachers. We have leaders in volunteer organizations as well as in billion-dollar companies. Leaders exist in every walk of life.
My point is that leadership vision is a choice you make, not a position or title. Anyone can take on the role of leader for the opportunities that present themselves daily. The experience you gain where you are is what prepares you for greater responsibilities as an up-and-coming leader. But the only way you become a leader is to hone the skills and play the part today.
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