What comes up for you when you think of “Leadership?”

What comes up for you when you think of “leadership?”

I remember when I was first invited to join the Leadership Council at the company where I once worked – think, board of advisors – and I asked my boss, “Why would I want to do that? I’m not a leader. I don’t need or want to be a leader. I’m very busy in my paid position and I don’t need or want to volunteer to do more.”

His reply was that it was an opportunity to develop leadership skills, to which I replied, “What do I need those for? I’m doing fine with things, just as they are. Who needs leadership skills?”

His answer changed my life.

He said, “Leadership can be thought of as influence. First of all, you need leadership skills to lead yourself. And it’s leadership skills that allow you to help your customers make smart decisions, and to convince your co-workers to collaborate, and to influence the lives of your children and loved ones. Developing your leadership skills helps you do a better job of building the happy, fulfilling life you want.”

He was right. And I have been working on my leadership skills ever since.

What would it mean if we really owned that we are ALL leaders – every one of us? That as we go through our day, we exert influence – consciously or unconsciously – with everyone, and I mean everyone, we contact?

I was once having a conversation with a friend who wanted to meet someone wonderful, a life partner, and I recalled a saying I had heard somewhere: “It’s easy to meet someone wonderful. All you have to do is to BE someone wonderful.”

And THAT is leadership, too.

What if it turns out that the people we have been waiting for … is US?

I’m going to be talking more about leadership in future articles, so watch this space if you like the conversation.

Or, if you prefer not to wait, feel free to write me an email and we can talk some more about it.