Are you an everyday leader? If you're influencing people around you, then the answer is a resounding "yes." However, countless everyday leaders unknowingly make a critical misstep in their leadership journey─they underestimate the tremendous impact they can have upon others. Before you can embark on leading others, it all begins with leading yourself and firmly believing in your ability to effect positive change within your sphere of influence.
Whether in a business, organizational, community, or familial setting, the truth is that you, as an everyday leader, can make all the difference. Despite this reality, many everyday leaders find themselves caught in the trap of reactionary responses, allowing external factors and endless demands to hijack their focus and attention.
The conventional notion of leadership often suggests that it's predominantly found at the apex of organizations, reserved for a select few with charismatic traits. The reality, however, paints a different picture. Leaders emerge at all levels of society and are driven by their passions and interests. Whether it's a father seeking to provide his children with the upbringing he never had, an impassioned entrepreneur dedicated to their product, or a middle school student rallying against bullying, leadership arises from a place of inner drive and passion. In contrast, those who lack a daily focus or passion tend to lead from a victim mindset, tethered to blame, justification, and excuses.
As an everyday leader, your impact is monumental, shaping the environments and individuals you encounter daily. A global study assessing over one million people unequivocally revealed that positive leader behaviors and actions directly influenced the engagement and positivity of those around them.
Surprisingly, factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and education accounted for less than 1% of the reason for people feeling productive and motivated in their environments. The leader's behavior, however, played a pivotal role in shaping their responses. As an essential maxim of leadership, belief serves as the linchpin─when a leader fails to recognize the influence they wield, their ability to impact and inspire is invariably curtailed. It all begins with belief.
In the pursuit of empowering leaders, I've consistently observed a common trend─they often underestimate the breadth of their leadership influence. Their thoughts, words, and behaviors carry an unseen potency, shaping the positivity of those around them. This sentiment is artfully encapsulated by author Marianne Williamson, who eloquently stated, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not darkness, that most frightens us.... Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.... As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Before you can lead, you must believe in your ability to make a positive impact on others. This belief in yourself is the catalyst that transforms your presence from mere existence to genuine, impactful significance.