You are a leader. Yes, you, reading this right now. In some way or form, you have been called to lead. The question is will you follow through on your call, or will you step back, out of fear?
You may state the obvious; I am not a manager nor am I a part of the management/executive team at my workplace. However, there is a sphere of influence that desperately needs your in-put, which requires you to step up and be the person who you know, deep down, you were called to be. For if you do not do this, then not only are you robbing yourself of the opportunity, but you will also be robbing many others of the gift that you could be, the vital role that ONLY you can play.
In his book, Courageous Leadership, Bill Hybels, a senior minister of a thriving church, speaks about being a great leader. The first important point that he makes, is that a leader needs vision, his definition of vision is "a picture of the future that produces passion in you”. One needs to ask, do I have such a vision? Do I have a passion-inspired image of the future? If the answer is no, maybe you need to re-assess your calling and look at where exactly you may need to step up your game. The mission statement of the Global Leadership Summit, which Hybels organises once a year, puts it perfectly, "Lead where you are”.
No one else has your gifts, your way of looking at things, your vision, your ideas, and the passion that it invokes. You do not need a title to lead; you do however need to have the right C.A.R - character, attitude and sense of responsibility - to be a leader.
- Character: Leaders should aspire to have a certain type of character. Character does not develop when things are good and well. One's character develops in the difficult times, in the midst of struggles and challenges that one has to face. The way in which you act when things are difficult, will show your true character to others.
- Attitude: A leader is kind, helpful and has an upbeat and optimistic attitude which inspires other people. An attitude of serving, will earn respect from followers.
- Responsibility: A true leader does not shift blame, but follows through. A true leader will also take responsibility for the outcomes of decisions that he or she takes, whether it is good or bad. He or she also treats their task with care and consideration. Being a leader, makes you more open to criticism, as you are in the limelight, which may be one of the main reasons as to why people shy away from leadership. The fear of what people may think or see of them.
However there are the select few, who go against the grain (I'm hoping that will be you) and step into the leadership shoes that you have been called into. My father has his own business, and will often be seen taking up a mop or a broom to clean up the place. Leadership is about doing what it takes, being an example to your employees and about servant-leadership. Being encouraging, uplifting and positive may be the make or break aspect of your organisation. Cory Booker, newly-elected mayor of New Jersey, puts it best in one of his Facebook statuses, "It is not titles that honor people, but people who honor titles."
Start leading, before you are even given a title or a status at work or in the community. There is a need out there. Get involved! Leaders are ordinary people, who did seemingly ordinary things, which produced extraordinary results.
Just look at people like Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. Make the commitment to find out what your leadership style is and where you can serve others. Its only by trial and error that you will find your true platform. Then take a deep breath, step out and "lead where you are”.
Article written by Sumie Reddy for BMT College.