Leading, a state of mind

by Curtis Gregor

Leadership is the art of inspiring others to use their utmost talents for the cause or ideas of the leader. In society today I hear many people called Leaders that fit the definition of Manager with a vision more accurately. Managing, a very much needed and respected talent, is the accomplishing of work through other people. These titles and roles are complicated more as businesses put titles on people such as shift leads. These shift leads may or may not be leaders. Shift leads are people that are put in charge of people or an area in a business to accomplish a goal. These are not position leaders but managers with a goal and timeline. I spent many years confusing these two very different titles until just a few years ago an excellent instructor at brought the subject up in a Management class and presented the differences I could understand. Since then I have thought a lot on clarify these titles and what is expected of each in my mind and when speaking to other people.

Leaders can lead from anywhere in a group of two or more. It is far easier to lead from the front of a group with the power or awe that comes with the position but it is not necessary. It is necessary for a Manager to be in a position of power. A manager also must have a timeline and measurable goals.

Why is Leadership a state of mind? In its simplest form Leadership is all about people. No Great Leaders wanted to be leaders. Leaders are people that have a desire to help others, usually by trying to keep someone from going through some of the negative experiences of they have felt. Leaders have already passed most of the hurdles in the area they are leading so they can help others avoid some of the learning pain. Leading is an exhausting job. To effectively lead the leader has a passion for a cause, mine is helping people develop into all they may be. I focus my leading on helping people see, understand and overcome issues holding them back by providing a different perspective and understanding of what they are experiencing. The state of mind that needs to be reached is that leading is not about the person but for the greater good. Leading is about stepping back, seeing the big picture, figuring out the costs, determining what costs you are willing to pay, and inspiring others to advance the cause well beyond your time.

Leading is inspiring others but it requires the understanding of people. All people are born with talents that are of equal value to society. Unfortunately, today only a few are easily recognized by society. In this time of World Covid 19 some people are recognizing that pay and title does not mean others are just as valuable for society to function. I have been stating for years that the most important people for a cause are often paid the least. This is a subject for another article. A leader must see the abilities of each person has, recognize the different talents, the different stages of development people are at, realize that no two people can achieve the same thing, do things the same way, or reach a destination at the same time. The differences in people and their stage in life means that no leader can set time lines or quantity goals. Time and quantity goals are the tools of a Manager. A Leader learns from those they are leading, supplies them with knowledge and tools then guides them to use their abilities in the most efficient manner of each person.

Any person that has a passion for something and wants others to feel that passion can become a leader. The leader must see and care about those they are leading more than they do of themselves. Leading is all about the cause and the people. When a person places their mind in the state of helping others, sharing their passion, and accepting responsibility for themselves and those they lead, they are leaders.