When it comes to leadership, natural ability isn't enough!

He was doing the work as technician. Now, he's leading the entire team as the Service Manager! Did you miss the release of the 3rd video in my "Real People Getting Real Results!" interview series? I featured a Eric Armour with Yancey Bros. Co., a repair and maintenance facility for all types of heavy equipment manufactured by Caterpillar? Watch here. Or, listen to it here.

Leadership is Influence!

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? Natural ability isn’t enough to help you be successful as a leader.

You must intentionally develop your skills by developing leadership characteristics, so you can lead and influence others at home, at work, at church, or even as a volunteer.

Leadership Simple, Complex, and Dynamic

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

“Leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less.” ~ John C. Maxwell

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.

Leadership Development = Character Development

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 such as:

• attitude
• work ethic
• perseverance
• resilience
• discipline
• courage
• humility

Character is not based upon, or determined by, your:

• education
• background
• race
• ancestors
• experiences in life

Each and every day, you are writing your internal script by choosing your values.

Then, your script, your 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.

Leadership Gems & Leadership Gems for Women

In Leadership Gems, 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 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.

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Mack and Ria Story are the co-founders of Blue-Collar Leadership? and provide uniquely designed content specifically created for the blue-collar workforce and those who lead and support them.

Mack spent many years in the blue-collar workforce, starting his career?in 1988 working as a front line, entry-level machine operator before working his way up through various engineering and management positions. Between 2005-2012, he logged over 11,000 hours leading hundreds of leaders and their teams through process improvement, leadership development, organizational change, and cultural transformation as a Lean and Leadership Development Consultant.

Ria started her career working as a waitress while earning her GED and going to community college at night. She pursued a career in the healthcare industry, eventually earning her MBA. Ria is a TEDx speaker, a certified leadership trainer, and has over 20 years of experience in leadership and management.

Mack and Ria began speaking together in 2013 and have published 34 books. They have spoken at Yale University's School of Management, at the U.S. Capitol, for the U.S. Military, for many small companies and for many multi-billion dollar organizations, on site and at conferences, and have shared the stage with Les Brown, John Maxwell.