Leadership >= You?

Is the concept of leadership somehow bigger than you? Is it reserved only for the better educated, more talented, more charismatic and more privileged? Is the value of leadership directly proportional to the size or importance of the outcome?

Do you see yourself as a leader? Do you have difficulty even calling yourself a leader?

Pause, reflect and answer these questions honestly. I suspect that those of us without traditional leadership titles struggle the most with this.

Are You a Leader?

I say...We are all leaders. Every one of us. Every Day. Where we live, where we worship, where we volunteer, where we go to school, where we play sports, and where we work. Our acts of daily leadership have the power to change and improve people's lives. After all, leadership is about influence, connection and emotional intelligence. It's not about power, skill, degrees, certifications, rank or title. We all exert influence on and interact with others, despite our perceived rank or given title.

If you do nothing else past this point, view this powerful 6 minute TED Talk by Drew Dudley: Everyday Leadership [Transcript]

What Makes a Leader?

Leaders work on their character first because it's what drives performance and results. They see the value and importance of internal strength of character. They know their performance and results are not sustainable unless they are the outcome of good character.

Leaders understand the power of influence. They don't command or demand, although there are occasions where this is necessary. They seek to understand first and guide others toward a vision. This is why we are all leaders...we all influence someone! That someone could be a customer on the phone? it could be your children or your whole family? it could be a friend. Do not underestimate your power or your reach!

Leaders connect at a human level. Relationship is more important than tasks or activities. They go deeper than just simple communication. Communicating tasks, directives, and data doesn’t connect us at a human level. Listening, empathy, caring, and stories do.  Don't Just Communicate, Connect! Your title, rank, and even skill have very little bearing on your ability to connect. See Leadership is Relationship.

Leaders are not defined by their current state. Leaders grow and learn. They have a growth mindset ("the understanding that abilities and intelligence can be developed"). They don't say "That's not my job" – they see a need and fill it. I like what Mark Bertolini, former CEO of Aetna, said about this in a Strategy+Business magazine interview:

I have never let the lack of a title get in my way, when I found a leadership vacuum, I'd jump in....When I talk to my direct reports and they say they don't have authority to do something, I say, 'here's a secret: do it anyway. They'll say, 'well, that's not my job. I say, 'yeah, it is'

So, if you’re tempted to say “That’s not my job”, imagine your CEO leaning over and whispering “Yeah, it is” in your ear!

Wherever You Are...

Every day you influence and connect with people. You can choose to grow or become stagnant. And we do this regardless of title, rank, or education level. Here’s good advice from Karen Lynch, CEO of CVS Health, in a graduation speech to Becker College:

“Wherever you are, lead from there.”

You are a leader...now go change someone's life!!