You may not think of yourself as a leader. Yet, there are specific ways of becoming a leader.
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Doug Dickerson, in his article, The Power of an Unlikely Leader, shares this story:
The story is told a successful beauty product company that asked the people in a large city to send pictures with brief letters about the most beautiful women they knew. Within a few weeks thousands of letters were delivered to the company.
One letter in particular caught the attention of the employees and soon it was handed to the company president. The letter was written by a young boy who was obviously from a broken home, living in a run-down neighborhood.
With spelling corrections, an excerpt from his letter read, “A beautiful woman lives down the street from me. I visit her everyday. She makes me feel like the most important kid in the world. We play checkers and she listens to my problems. She understands me and when I leave she yells out the door that she’s proud of me.” The boy ended his letter saying, “This picture shows you that she is the most beautiful woman. I hope I have a wife as pretty as her.” Intrigued by the letter, the president asked to see this woman’s picture. His secretary handed him a photograph of a smiling, toothless woman, well-advanced in years, sitting in a wheelchair. Sparse gray hair was pulled back in a bun and wrinkles that formed deep furrows on her face were somehow diminished by the twinkle in her eyes.
“We can’t use this woman”, explained the president, smiling. “She would show the world that our products aren’t necessary to be beautiful.”
The story illustrates a basic leadership principle, titles don’t make leaders and leaders don’t always have titles.
This story is powerful because it shatters our preconceptions of powerful, charismatic leaders.
What if that woman had not shown personal leadership with her care and attention to that boy? He would have missed out!
The world needs your personal leadership!
Although you may feel inadequate, her are some ways of becoming a leader to help you grow. If you apply these tips, you’ll become the leader that people like the boy above are looking for.
Follow Well
Do you complain at work, at church, or in your condominium association board meetings?
It’s very easy to criticize our own leaders, and harder follow well.
Yet when we become the most proactive, professional, generous followers we can, we are learning important character lessons that will serve us when we take the reigns of leadership.
Become Your Best Self
Strive to learn your purpose, define your mission, clarify your vision, and live out your goals.
Not everyone around you knows Why they are here, and Where they are going. They are looking for people who have that calm confidence. Be the one!
Identify Great Leaders to Learn From
Who do you know at work, in your industry, in your community, or in your church who leads admirably?
Take that person out to lunch. Pick her brain. Ask him questions.
Write down what character traits and leadership examples you want to emulate.
Perhaps you can meet once a month with one of these leaders.
Listen to and Read Great Leadership Podcasts, Books and Blogs
The EntreLeadership Podcast, by Dave Ramsey, is one of my favorite podcasts. Dave has led a successful small business for over 20 years. In this podcast he and others share leadership tips.
John Maxwell is a recognized leadership expert. He’s written a number of books on leadership. Here’s his blog.
I recommend his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.
One of my favorite books and workbooks is Warren Bennis’ book, On Becoming A Leader.
I also recommend his workbook, Learning To Lead.
Take Initiative
There aren’t too many people who see a need, consider the need, figure out a solution, and decide to carry out the solution!
Next time you’re tempted to complain about a situation in the workplace, at church, or in your community, ask yourself what you can do about it.
Start small. Practice being part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
After all, leaders are problem-solvers. So you can become a leader by solving problems for others!
Faithful With Little, Faithful With Much
Jesus told the parable of servants entrusted with their boss’s investments. Two servants invested the money, worked hard, and grew their boss’s money. The third servant, afraid of his boss, dug a hole and buried the money. The boss, when he came back, put the servants in charge of big projects. However, he fired his third servant and gave the money he should have invested to the other two servants.
Like the woman in the story at the beginning of this article, you can to make this world a better place. Become the leader you’re meant to be.
Take one of the leadership tips above and start practicing it immediately.
As you start serving others through leadership, you’ll find that your influence will expand to the degree you are faithful.
What are some of your favorite ways of becoming a leader? photo credit: Gunnar Pippel
I love this subject based on their a far more people playing as they are leaders than us who serve others with a true servants heart. That is how a leader develops confidence within for them to empower everyone around them.
You must get to the point where you love what you do and then share it with everyone. I have been blessed to have a lifestyle that allows me to do only what I love and when. That I live to serve and never accept anything for that support.
That message of finding how to help and solve people’s issues is the greatest insightful information shared here. It is the key to building a brand and having countless people ask for you to show them how to do what you do. Not only are you supporting them facing daily challenges. You are coaching them at that point to duplicate in finding their passion and sharing it with others in the way it generates prosperity in every area in their lives.
I thank you for all the support you have been giving us readers for years. You are one of our great mentors in this industry. I appreciate you and all you do so know I will make it a point to continue to support this site with all the positive instructional points you have. That is what I respect. Thanks again for being a solid ethical leader in our global industry.
William Amis recently posted…Mastering Action
William, I’ve enjoyed reading your articles and modeling the servant leadership you speak of. Thanks for your support and example.
Hi Stephen,
that story of the ‘beautiful woman’ is priceless.
Wouldn’t is be great if more people where aware of the true beauty of people?
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and the books about leadership.
To Success!
Yorinda
Yorinda recently posted…Sole Water and Salt A higher form of Energy
Yorinda, thankfully you and I can lead others to see the beauty of people by modeling how we treat them. I appreciate your feedback.
Hi Stephen,
I loved the story of a beautiful woman. Also the parable of servants (I know that one well). We can only be leaders if we have the mindset of serving.
A leader serves others. And yes, knowledge on a particular subject is always great, but some people want to learn “everything” before they go out and teach.
You my friend, are a leader in so many ways. You are constantly teaching us, a higher purpose and a healthy lifestyle. I thank you!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted…Assessing The Past
Donna, I appreciate your input and encouragement. I know you and Dave provide essential leadership to many, many people, and you’re making the internet and the world a better place. Thank you!
Great story. A good reminder to reflect on and challenge our preconceived notions — whether about beauty, leadership, or personal development. Thank you for sharing.
You are very welcome, Kickstart! 🙂
The story of the beautiful woman is a great example of how leadership needs to not be defined by any titles but simply by being oneself and to show care and compassion in the world. I think many of us have the ability to become great leaders – we just need to know where to start 🙂 Great post!
Chelle recently posted…7 Simple Ways to Make Life More Meaningful
Chelle, thank you for stopping by. It’s great to meet you! You’re right: “many of us have the ability to become great leaders: we just need to know where to start.” Love your words.
Important message Steve. Most of us honestly don’t realize how many lives we touch each day, and how our influence can make a difference in someone’s life. We so often think of leadership as a formal position within a company or organization, but the very way we choose to live our lives sets an example for others, and that is one of the most powerful examples of leadership. Thanks for the inspiration!
marquita herald recently posted…Words of Wisdom for Challenging Times
Become your best self! I like that tip very much. I think out of everything else, being your best self sets up up as a leader most of all. This is because you no longer feel like you have to follow in the same path as everyone else, or do something only because someone else is doing it.
Being your best self means that you’ll find your own strength and excel in it. And who else is better at being you than you are! Lovely and inspiring post.
Anne @ confidence blog recently posted…How Flexible Are You
Anne, thank you very much. I absolutely loved your article about flexibility and confidence. I could write a whole article just on the aspect of flexibility as it relates to personal leadership. 🙂
I think we all strive for good leadership at most stages in our life. That is why when people come online they flock to “gurus” or other successful people in order to get guidance and training. The real trick is, once your in that leadership role, is to not take advantage of it. If you do, you will destroy the trust of your followers and its really hard to earn that back.
Clint Butler recently posted…Top 10 Small Business Marketing Blogs Today In 2012
Client, that’s why I’ve appreciated your Code of Ethics on your site. In fact, you inspired me to think of my own to post on my sites in the upcoming year. It’s so important to place ethics at the center of all we do.
We are all leaders even when we don;t think we’re leading. But someone is always looking. If you’re a parent, you are a leader. If you’re a spouse, you’re a leader. If you are in a committed relationship or are someone’s friend, you have a leadership role. The problem is that some of us are leading others ineffectively. It’s true that we may be following more than leading, but the role has been placed on our shoulders nonetheless. It’s posts like this one, Stephen, that adds so much value to our efforts at stepping up to the plate and improving our performance.
I love every step you provided, but particularly liked the idea of taking the initiative. So often, we sit in the back of life’s room and watch others. We see something that needs attention and wait for someone else to step up. That’s a huge difference between those who pick up the mantle of leadership and expand it and those who shrink it. Leaders act. Others wish they had acted or simply hope someone else does so they won’t have to.
Ken Wert@MeanttobeHappy recently posted…15 Signs You May be an Emotional Bully (and what to do about it)
meanttobehappy Ken, thank you so very much for your input. You are so correct, that we are leaders by default in many cases. For example, if we live in the United States, we are among the most wealthy people in the world, and therefore have the responsibility to help others in other countries via knowledge and sharing our resources. And thanks for pointing out the importance of initiative.
Loved the story about the beautiful woman. If you can be of the mind that prompts you to reply in the way the company president replied then you are truly on the way to becoming a leader, by recognising others’ strengths.
Sadie-Michaela Harris recently posted…Oooh la la I Deleted Our Company Mobile Website in Error
Hi Stephen,
What a great post and I love the story you chose to make the point. It is so important to have confidence in our own abilities. We oh it to the world to become a leader by our own right and make a difference in the world and in other people’s worlds.
I love your point about seeking out others who you seek to emulate. I think this is an important thing to do and I hope to brush shoulders with many who can inspire me to be the best that I can be.
Thanks for you sharing,
Beth 🙂
Beth Hewitt recently posted…Holy Guacamole – You’re make $$$$ from your blog?
Hi Stephen,
What a great post and I love the story you chose to make the point. It is so important to have confidence in our own abilities. We owe it to the world to become a leader by our own right and make a difference in the world and in other people’s worlds.
I love your point about seeking out others who you seek to emulate. I think this is an important thing to do and I hope to brush shoulders with many who can inspire me to be the best that I can be.
Thanks for you sharing,
Beth 🙂
Beth Hewitt recently posted…Holy Guacamole – You’re make $$$$ from your blog?
Stephen,
usualkly like what you write since I can sense you write from your heart.. this post it was not any less, and thank you for sharing great and uplifting infomation that you are encountering in your life… we can always learn from each others.
The story about the beautiful woman made a mark… thanks again. Becoming a leader is not as simple as getting ahead of others and by putting people down… the president say it all to show leadership “She would show the world that our products aren’t necessary to be beautiful.”.
Wow, that is powerful.
thanks again.
nickc
nick catricala recently posted…Stuck or Unstuck
This is a powerful story. Always been confident in my abilities with my business. I had a lot of good and bad influences growing up so I feel I have seen it all. The good the bad and down right ugly. You know half the time people can’t read me and just go with what I say…lol.
But, yes picking someones mind that you see as a leader is great. I always feel I can learn from anyone no matter what 🙂 A lot of people get this massive ego once they have become successful. Bob Parsons the previous owner of GoDaddy is a prime example of this.
Stephen,
I love the post, very interesting subject matter. I also have always been very confident in my leadership abilities. Your remarks concerning being a good follower is what interests me most. Through the years of my life I have found the key is to understand when to be a leader and when to be a follower. The ability to recognize which attribute is needed when is a very important trait. Thanks again for the post.
Stephen,
Leadership can be defined in many ways: showing by example, strong confidence, taking on responsibility when others won’t, and putting giving other the best opportunity to better. If you can get the most out of an individual, you are leader. One to most rewarding compliments ever was from someone I managed, “I didn’t realize I had it in me” – That should be the ultimate goal of a leader.
Regards,
Steve
Steven Hughes recently posted…Google+ Communities: The Great, the bad, and why you need to Join
Amazing story!
IMO, the best and most meaningful way to become a true leader is to become a person of integrity. Integrity is the key to winning people’s confidence, trust and loyalty. It’s also probably the best way to become a person of influence as well.
Great stuff!
Dewane Mutunga recently posted…Would You Do It For The Love?
Dewane, you’re so correct. Without integrity, everything else falls apart. This means integrity when no one’s looking, especially.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Leaders are not only heads of companies and heads of countries. Every person who does the right thing, who helps others, who volunteers at work or home or in their community, who sets a good example for others, is a leader. Thanks for your good words.
Best regards,
David
David J. Singer recently posted…Health Benefits of Conflict Resolution
David, thanks for your input. I truly appreciate it.