Leadership is a responsibility that you choose, not a title you're handed.
It's easy to confuse leadership as a position. You hear "boss," "captain," "CEO" or "president" and assume leadership. But let's be real, a lot of people with those titles have absolutely no clue how to be a leader. They just give demands. They've also been put in charge and assigned authority. Someone can put you in charge based off of seniority or connections, that doesn't mean you're qualified.
People willingly follow leaders, not people who are assigned a position of power.
Understand the difference. Authority alone doesn't inspire. And people may follow the rules, but it doesn't mean they follow your heart/intentions.
Leaders choose the responsibility and step forward because the mission matters, and they do this with or without recognition. They also don't wait for other peoples help before they start what they feel is necessary. Leadership begins the moment you stop waiting for someone else to move.
Think about it, why would someone want to follow or help you do something that you aren't already doing or willing to do yourself?
A boss says, "Do this..." and has probably never done it before or willing to do it.
The leader says, "Come with me, I'm already doing..."
How do you know that you're meant to step out and lead? Because the silence feels like betrayal to yourself. Most leaders you see started with a problem, a burden that affected them, or a vision and they refused to ignore it.
Titles fade, but leadership leaves a mark.
So here's a quick reference as you begin your journey:
- Responsibility before recognition.
- Influence through action.
- Build your character. ( I should probably write about what character truly means. I think people overlook what it means to have character. It may be confused with personality, but it's deeper than that.)
- Consistency is key.
Let me ask you...
Are you waiting for a promotion, a vote of approval from someone, permission to move? If so, you're missing your calling, and you may be doing yourself and others a disservice by not stepping up. You don't need permission to take responsibility and you don't need applause to choose courage. If you do need these things, you may be the person who follows the leader instead. And that's fine too. Both sides serve it's purpose.
In conclusion, leadership is about choosing to care, and then act when it would be easier to sit back. The people you impact will always remember who stood up when no one else would.
Peace.
written by Morgan | @MORGANtheCEO
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