The definition of leadership

What’s A Leader

Do you have someone you look up to? A teacher, a neighbor, or a mentor you admire?

Someone who made a difference in your life?

If you think about why they made a difference, you’ll probably remember that they cared for you. They had high expectations, but somehow they were able to convey those expectations while building you up and inspiring you to reach them, instead of leaving you feeling torn down, as if you could never achieve your goals.

The question is, how do they do that? What really makes a good leader?

A leader is not just someone who leads or guides a group of people. It’s not just a manager. Not just someone who makes sure things get done in exchange for a paycheck. It’s someone who can inspire action. Who brings people together to accomplish the group’s goals. Who people want to work with and learn from. Who shares a higher purpose.

And the thing is - anyone can be a leader. Many people see someone they admire and think they could never do that. But it’s a myth.?

Leadership is not something you’re born with. It’s a skill. In business, if you want to be more than a solopreneur, you need to learn how to lead. In fact, as you build a team, as you partner with people, as you grow your audience - you want to truly step into that leadership role. It affects your bottom line, but more importantly, it allows for creativity, growth, for an ultimate purpose in elevating those around you.?

What Type of Leader Are You?

?In MBA programs you’re taught two types of leadership - transformational and transactional.?

Transactional Leaders

The face value, reward, and punishment leader. The transactional leadership style requires hard lines between leaders and followers. You do this work and I’ll give you a paycheck. I’m your superior, you’re my subordinate. To a transactional leader, the promise of reward drives followers to reach their maximum potential.

Transformational Leaders

The social engineer leader. Transformational leaders seek to make changes and improvements in individuals and systems. They know the strengths and weaknesses of the people they lead and use that information to help them achieve their best. They identify with the people they lead and are even inspired by them. They find purpose.

You may know people on both ends of the leadership spectrum.?

Which gets the better results? Well, no one is gonna work without some type of pay, right? We’re all conditioned this way and we all need and want to make a living. So there’s always some type of transaction, but there’s also a deeper level.?

Since the beginning of time, as human beings, we’ve always looked for meaning. For a reason to do what we’re doing. We are driven to leave a footprint of some kind on this earth before we leave it. And for many, a paycheck isn’t enough fulfillment.?

When there is meaning and fulfillment in what we do, we are more creative. Our vision is more broad. We see the world differently and we approach work differently. Long-term, transformational leaders are the ones who see the most growth. Who build teams that last. Who grow companies and who leave an impact in this world.?

Ways to Elevate Your Business With Transformational Leadership

It might be a “soft skill” as they say, but it’s a critical skill if you want to scale your business, grow your audience, and increase your client base. It’s worth it to take the time to examine your leadership style and how you affect those around you.

As Tony Robbins says,?

“(Leadership) is usually discussed in the context of business, but?leadership is also how you, as an individual, choose to lead your life. The definition of leadership is to?influence, inspire and help others become their best selves, building their skills and achieving goals along the way.?

You don’t have to be a CEO, manager or even a team lead to be a leader. Leadership is a set of skills – and a certain psychology – that anyone can master. “

“Leadership is not a zero-sum equation.?When one person harnesses their powers to lead, it strengthens the leadership opportunities of others, rather than diminishing them.?That’s because the ultimate definition of leadership is empowering others to become effective leaders as well.”

Here are a few ways to look at how you are as a leader.?

1. Surround yourself with people who have done what you want to do.

All leaders look up to other leaders. Share your mentors, guides, and those who inspire you with those around you. Stepping off the pedestal to elevate others actually gains favor with others and people see that.

2. Have a clear vision and plan.?

Share clear goals. Not just numbers, but the result your work has on your clients and your team. What impact is everyone making together? Be clear about the final outcome.

3. Develop your leaders. Develop those around you.

Encourage your team to “look up” and continually improve. Life is a never-ending journey and we’re all on it together. Let’s lift each other up and provide opportunities for development and growth.

4. Never settle for mediocre.?

Share your goals and expectations, and let people around you know that you have full confidence in their ability to meet them.?

5. Look for Ways to Elevate Your Team and Help Them Pass it On.?

Be creative. There are many ways you can make a difference - for your clients. For your team. And for your community.?

How We’re Reaching Out?

This has been our philosophy since the beginning - as we grow, we have an obligation to give to the communities around us. For years, we’ve made donations to a local organization that provides kids with opportunities to develop in the arts, in a way that they’d never be able to otherwise. It’s called the FREEDOM ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER (feel free to check out the great work they do?here.)

Since 2012, their mission is to “empower young people to become the highly creative, literate, passionate, independent thinkers they are capable of becoming.”

If that’s not leadership in action, I don’t know what is!?

How You Can Lead Right Now

Right now, we’re embarking on another mission to support a good cause. And we have an opportunity for you to join us in giving back to communities.

But before I get into what we’re doing though (and why we want your help!), think about this…

Why did you start doing business on your own?

If you’re like me, it was because I wanted more control over my life…

Because I learned the hard way that a job isn’t actually ever “secure”.?

I also wanted to have more control over my finances, my time, where I lived…

But as time went on I learned that there is another HUGE reason -

To become an important part of communities and to have the ability to make a difference!