With all the uproar and upheaval in our world, I have been pondering this:
“What is a leader?”
How does one become a leader?
What do you have to be, do or have to be seen as a leader?
Dr Mehmet Yildiz provides a comprehensive article on what a leader isn’t and Terry Mansfield describes the qualities and character of “good leadership.”
And all of this is well and good.
I love and respect academic theories and intellectual debates.
Still, how does any of this relate to the everyday person?
You know, the mum who is busy caring for her family on a restricted budget?
Or the high school student pondering their next step in life.
Or the ex-offender, recently released from serving their time and looking to make a fresh start.
How do they become leaders?
Are they leaders?
Here’s what I think…
A leader is a human who leads with vision.
Someone like you – a visionary.
A person with a heart
Who walks beside you through thick and thin (aka a mother or your best friend.)
Who knows when to pause.
And when to give you space to breathe.
To activate the fire within, or soothe the fears ruining your show.
We are all leaders in our life.
Society may try to mould us to a prescribed definition or role, and it is easier sometimes to follow along that path.
Yet a leader is someone like you; someone who sees beyond the illusion.
Knows there is more to life and chips away; like Michelangelo to reveal the glory within.
So, next time you feel down and beaten.
Remember, you are a Leader.
You rise.
You shine.
You do the work.
You heal.
You fill the gaps — the missing chairs at the table.
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You do the work; you nurture souls and share the vision with purpose, compassion, heart and soul; you attract others and toil together with a common purpose for the higher good of ALL.
That’s what I think a leader is.
A human who leads with vision. With heart. Someone who has your back and walks beside you through thick and thin.
What do you think a leader is?
Let me know below.
I originally published this article over on Medium.
Photo by Tachina Lee on Unsplash
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash
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