Leaders Shine Bright!

Regardless of whether you are a front line employee or the CEO of a multi-billion dollar organization, you need to shine bright in order to be successful. Leaders at all levels shine when they have a high level of influence. Individuals shine when they have a high level of influence. When you shine, you stand out. When you stand out, you get noticed, get promoted, or get more opportunities. Shiny objects get noticed and so do shiny people.

All of us have some influence naturally, and some of us have more than others. We are all influencing someone at some level, even though we may not realize it. Leadership is influence. Therefore, we are all “leaders.” The question is, what are we doing with our influence? And, how can we increase it in order to "shine?"

Natural ability isn’t enough to help you be successful. You must intentionally develop your skills by developing the characteristics of effective individuals so you can lead and influence others at home, at work, at church, or even as a volunteer.

Leadership is one of the most profoundly complex, and at the same time, incredibly simple concepts.

John C. Maxwell states it well, “Leadership is influence.” Influence is simple and easy to understand. If you are influencing someone to do, say, or think something different, you are leading them.

But understanding why, how, when, and who you are influencing becomes very complex. “How do I increase my influence (leadership) with others?” is a question all of us should devote significant time, thought, and consideration to.

We all want, and at some level need, to be successful in life. Relating leadership to success is fairly simple.

However, leadership is also extremely complex – because it’s increased primarily by developing your character. Developing your character will improve your ability to influence (lead) yourself initially and others secondarily.

Your character is the determining success factor in your life. Your character is the defining factor in how you will face life’s challenges. Your response to success, failure, joy, pain, sickness, health, poverty, or wealth will all be based upon your character. Character is far more than your talent, natural gifts, skills, and abilities. Character is the foundation upon which you will build your legacy.?

Character is based upon intangible characteristics that will determine your success: attitude, work ethic, perseverance, resilience, discipline, courage, humility, and many more. ?Character is not based upon, or determined by, your education, background, race, ancestors, or experiences in life. Each and every day, you are writing your internal script by choosing your values. Then, your script (resulting character based upon the values you have internalized) will dictate your decisions and responses in any given situation.

True character is revealed in times of adversity, pressure, and stress. When you squeeze a lemon what do you get? Lemon juice. The true nature of a lemon cannot be hidden, and the same is true for you.

In my book, Leadership Gems: 30 Characteristics of Very Successful Leaders (or, check out the women's specific version here !) you will discover 30 characteristics of very successful leaders and learn how to develop them. Are there more than 30? Yes, of course, but very few people are willing to read an encyclopedia of leadership, so I had to choose those I felt would be most relevant.

Developing these “Leadership Gems” will certainly help you develop your character, and thus increase your ability to influence (lead) others in every given situation.

Isn’t that a bold claim? Absolutely. However, I make this statement with complete confidence. I know it’s true because I have learned to apply them and achieved amazing results.

Some of these characteristics will come easier to you than others. You may be tempted to downplay the significance of those that don’t come easy, but in truth, those are the ones you should focus on most. In terms of character, we should focus on developing weak areas. In terms of abilities, or competencies, we should focus on developing areas of strength. Character always compounds competency.

Leaders are like diamonds. They are unique and individual. No two are just alike. They are rare, very valuable, formed under pressure, and are very strong.

The word diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas” meaning tough, unbreakable, or indestructible. As my husband Mack says, “Shiny objects get noticed. So do shiny people.”

Don’t be afraid to shine bright in your areas of strength, but relative to your character, don’t neglect to develop your areas of weakness. Brad Milford said, “Gems are mined and discovered. They definitely can’t shine without light. There is power in the light you draw in as well as what you radiate. The desire is for you to be brilliant.”