As a working mother, a wife, and most importantly, a human being, I think about leadership all the time. Leadership is paramount in all aspects of my life. Finding the right leadership for personal growth, professional growth, and the growth of others in my life. What I strive to bring into every interaction in my life is a positive, confident impact, and a viewpoint that may often be overlooked. I look for similar qualities in a leader that can share knowledge and experience with me so I can do the same for others in my professional and private life.
What is the definition of a leader? A leader is “a guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement or political group.” For me, a leader is a person that is genuine, honest, and has integrity. A leader may not be the most educated person in the situation, but will be the one that adds value, has inner strength, nurtures and inspires, and leads by example.
Leadership qualities are so much more than a “title.” A leader is someone that can see the people around them for the individuals that they are and celebrate the gifts and talents that each can contribute to the collective as a whole. This is relevant in every aspect of my life, with my teammates at work, with committee members of organizations, my husband, and especially my children.
I have had the privilege of hearing two very motivational and influential leaders in person and I continue to learn from each of them daily. John Maxwell and Colin James have the qualities I look for in leadership, and both of these men live and lead by example.
John Maxwell has a charismatic and direct approach to leadership that resonated with me enough to follow his blog and read it daily. Here is a link to his blog if you would like to check it out: blog.johnmaxwell.com.
Colin James is a corporate trainer out of Australia that has mesmerized me with the simple and yet complex delivery of his message. Colin taught me (and the rest of the crowd) to draw a recognizable human portrait in just one hour by utilizing step-by-step communication through his leadership. The data geek in me fell in love with the science behind his process. Everything that Colin shared with the group and on his blog is backed by science and experience in life. Here is a link to Colin’s blog if you want to check it out: www.colinjamesmethod.com.au/category/blog.
Leadership is a part of the individual that continues to evolve with each passing day. Sharing and giving back to those around you is how leadership can be passed down to future generations and keep that momentum moving forward.