If you are a supervisor, you are a leader.
If you are a mentor, you are a leader.
If you are a “boss”, you are a leader.
If you are an employee, you are a leader.
We are all leaders. [This might be an unpopular opinion.] We lead in ways that may not seem or feel impactful, but we all lead each other to success. If my strength is time management and efficiency, then I am leading my team through my strengths. By way of action and utilizing my strengths my colleagues and other people see me leading the way in efficiency and time management.
The Balance Small Business defines leadership as “the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal.” Google says leadership is “the action of leading a group of people or an organization.” Did either of those definitions mention being a CEO, being on stage giving a talk, making over $500,000? No! The way you lead your team, your colleagues, your peers, your family, doesn’t have to be grandiose. It only has to be intentional, with empathy, integrity, and a healthy dose of accountability.
Instead of looking at leaders in a way based on people in a position of power, or someone influential, what if we looked at ourselves as leaders? What if we looked at each of our employees as leaders within the company? Each person leads in their own way, and we can celebrate the way they lead to better promote the common goal of the company.
Often, we hear the word “leader” and we automatically push it away and think, nope not me! That’s not my role/job/responsibility. But what if it was your role and you didn’t realize it. What if the people you work with every day called you a leader and you had no idea? It’s possible. Have you ever heard the saying “be careful what you do because little eyes are always watching?” This is a saying we often use to be aware that kids are always watching what you do so we need to be good examples for them. We could also utilize this saying in the workplace as it relates to leadership. Be intentional in your actions because you never know who you are leading.
So, who is a leader? YOU! You are a leader. Lead in the best way you know how.
