Becoming a Leader

Leadership has a different meaning for almost every person you speak to.

Merriam Webster defines it as the "office or position of a leader." As that is little help you may wish to look into the definition of leader. If you dig through the Webster definitions there you may find that you are most comfortable with "a person who has commanding authority or influence."

You may find that definition leaves you a little wanting. This is especially true if you are seeking to enhance your own skills as a leader.

I found that I was best served by asking questions rather than seeking definitions. These are the four questions I had to resolve in order to solidify my concept of my role as a leader.

1. What are my core values?
2. What are my guiding principles?
3. What is the most important foundational issues for those currently involved in my profession in my region and area?
4. What should be the steering principles for the future of my profession?

Once you have established your beliefs in these area made certain they reconcile, you path is fairly well laid.

My next suggestion would be to write out the answers to the four questions above on an index card and keep it in your shirt pocket. For each decision you make in the process of a day refer to your leadership road map. Consider it form every decision as minor as sorting your in box and email to career choices. It will not be long before your new driven purpose is recognized and others begin to become much more receptive.