Personal Growth
John Maxwell tells us, “Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” 1
When our goal is to lead, remember that if you can’t influence others, they won’t follow you. Some people are born with natural gifts. However, the ability to lead is a continuous development of skills that compounds over time. And, it does not happen overnight.
Leadership develops daily, not in a day.
We now know that leadership is a power to influence. We measure it if we get someone else to take part in our cause 2 Often, we assume that people who are in position are automatic leaders. Sometimes that’s true. But true leadership comes only from the influence that doesn’t need endorsement.
When people hold a certain title or position, we assume they are leaders. We perceive that because a leader can be or go with any of those traits or position. Yet, it is not a spontaneous exchange.
How a true leader differentiates with a positional leader:
a Manager – A manager focuses on sustaining existing organization and operations. He can maintain a direction, but it does not mean he can change it. It’s possible but not always. The manager can lead only when he moves people into a new direction and create a positive change.
the Entrepreneur – The entrepreneur and salespeople may persuade people to buy their products and services. Even so, they don’t always hold long-term influence that makes people follow them.
the Philosophers and Brilliant Thinkers – They can possess greater knowledge and intelligence but the ability to think does not mean they can lead.
a Pioneer – Being first isn’t always the same as leading. Sir Edmund Hillary was the first to reach the summit of Mt. Everest 3, but that doesn’t make him a leader. He wasn’t even the leader of the expedition, John Hunt was 4. A leader inspires people to act on his vision, also be in front, and have people behind him.
Someone in Position – As stated in the examples above, leadership is not always based on position. “It’s not the position that makes a leader, it’s the leader that makes the position.” – Stanley Huffty 5. A CEO can lose her title and position. And she can get her executives to follow her ventures, or caused the company stocks to go down or up.
Becoming a leader is not about position and ranking, alone.
We can be a willing student that put his learning into practice. Leadership is a set of “principles” that we can study and acquire. Then apply it to our homes, on our jobs, in church, or wherever we are called to lead. You have to have the capacity to develop and improve your skills.
This is how leadership develops, an ongoing learning process of self-discipline and perseverance.
Leadership doesn’t develop in a day. And neither does a person’s identification as a leader. There are moments in someone’s life that allows him to step forward as a leader.
Here are the key moments:
Because leadership is a series of process, these are the four stages that will occur to the future leader.
Stage 1: Not aware, not effective “I don’t know what I don’t know”
Stage 2: Not effective, aware “I know what I don’t know”
Stage 3: Effective, aware “I grow and it starts to show”
Stage 4: Effective “I go because of what I now know”
The leader in you begins to develop when you step forward and willing to pay the price of growth.
If you want to learn more about how to become an effective leader, read my book summary of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. Check out leadership courses that are not only valuable and available online, but highly rated.
Seth Godin’s Leadership Workshop – Learn the concrete steps to lead change and create an alternative future for yourself and others.
Think Like a Leader by Brian Tracy – Change your day to day habits to become a powerful motivator and achieve leadership success
The Science of Leadership – Leadership, management techniques and communication skills based on research from neuroscience to social psychology
More Courses about Leadership and Self-growth
Attend Professional Seminars in your area. Some of the best avenues to look for are:
Going to a seminar makes you feel more invested because of your effort. You will be around professional people. Mostly, C-suite executives, board directors, mid-level managers, and rising supervisors. If you are in a place to lead, the seminars will get you to develop a personal action plan for your organization.
One-on-one coaching may be right for you when you need more in-depth conversations. Coaches check personal behaviors, expectations, ambitions, strengths, and weaknesses. This can match you to someone who has faced similar obstacles and opportunities. Coaching can provide customized programs that address your challenges and growth goals.
You can use all the tools above.
Learners gather information from many sources. Get ideas from your team. Talk to people in your group to find out what’s happening at the grassroots level. Spend time with leaders from outside your organization who can be a mentor.
I hope you get what you need. No matter where you are starting from, you can get better. This is good news about Leadership.