Is it your title? Your reputation?
Is it your status? Your paycheck?
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
This quote is attributed to John Quincy Adams, but there is apparently no evidence that he actually said it. Dolly Parton, on the other hand, said,
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”
Your actions make you a leader.
Anybody can lead, as long as people are willing to follow.
So what makes people follow?
I think it’s actions grounded in:
Conviction
Authenticity
Openness
Inclusion
Transparency
Accountability
Resonance
Collaboration
Belonging
Integrity
Honesty
Humility
Consistency …what else?
So: How do you lead others? How aware are you of your leadership, day to day, moment to moment? How intentional are you about it?
What do you lead others to and for?
What is your purpose in leading?
What is your goal for those you lead?
What is your goal for your cause?
What do you want from your followers?
What do they need from you?
How will you make it so that your cause outlives and continues to flourish without you?
Great leaders do not always know the answers to all of these questions.
But they ask and consider them, regularly, honestly, and humbly.
Healing Through Connection 
Hi, Cathy, I would add a couple of suggestions to your great list of qualities in which a leader’s actions are grounded: 1) compassion or kindness and 2) confidence. I’m sure #1 doesn’t surprise you coming from me. Number 2, confidence, seems to be essential if people are going to wholeheartedly want to trust and follow someone.
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Thank you, Donna!!
I did leave those off, didn’t I? It was a pretty impromptu list, and I’m wondering if it’s better longer or shorter? And #2 makes me consider the distinction between confidence and arrogance… Thank you for commenting!
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