Leadership can be tricky to figure out sometimes. Is a boss a leader? Not necessarily.
BusinessDictionary.com defines leadership as the activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to do this. Leadership involves:
- Establishing a clear vision
- Sharing that vision with others so that they will follow willingly
- Providing the information, knowledge and methods to realize that vision and
- Coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members and stakeholders.
A leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations.
So that is quite the definition! Now, yes, a boss may be a leader but then again maybe not. Maybe a team member is the leader. Maybe that one person is better in a crisis and has the talent to be creative in a difficult situation.
Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Children can be leaders, adults can be leaders and sometimes you find leaders that are in positions that aren’t “leadership” positions but they are happy where they are and put their skills to use when needed.
Leadership is not something that is taught. It is something that is inside you. Not everyone is a leader and that is fine. We need team players as well to make the world go around.
Those people with the talent of leadership often realize it when they are young but sometimes don’t start to put that talent to use until they are reminded of it at a later date.
Leaders are special people. They are the ones that we look up to and seek out for guidance. If you are fortunate enough to have a strong leader in your life, seek them out for mentorship. Leaders love to help others and it is fulfilling to them to be able to do so. Go seek out your own leader and make every minute count!
