You the Leader – Part 1
The Habits That Form Leaders
Just as there are people who have enriched your life, you, too, are enriching the life of someone else.
Let’s move beyond the concept of the leader and the follower. Most people think that a leader can’t be a follower and that a follower cannot be a leader. However, the combination of being both a follower and a leader is essential to becoming the best leader you can be. No one on Earth hasn’t been a follower at some point; thus, every leader is, by default, also a follower. This dynamic starts early in life. If you are born, your first leaders are typically those who nurture you during your early childhood—usually, it’s your mother or father. Throughout life, we encounter various leaders, whether they are teachers or other influential figures. While you have these people who have added to your life, in the same way, you, too, are adding to the life of another.
How do you lead once you recognize your leadership?
In other words, get it in your head that you are a leader. Now lead. Accepting that you are a leader is just the first step. How do you lead once you recognize your leadership?
- Determine what you’re good at and what others know that you’re good at.
Focus on mastering your strengths. Identify what you excel at and what you are known for by others. This understanding enables you to offer more of yourself to those who need it. - Put more effort, energy, and time into those areas because they are where you can provide the most value—not only to yourself but also to others.
When you refine what you’re really good at, you can incorporate it into everything you do. As you do this, you’ll add value to yourself and those around you with every encounter.
Our goal is to make a leader out of everyone because everyone is a leader. Every person has the ability to lead someone, even if it’s just one person. In reality, no one on Earth will influence only one individual in their lifetime. Every person will influence and lead multiple people. The critical question is: do you see yourself as that leader? If you don’t view yourself in that way, you won’t lead to the best of your abilities, and you won’t reach your full potential.
