If you Google the word “Leadership” you come back with 439 million Hits. WOW!
We hear all about corporate leadership, youth leadership, personal leadership, leadership this, leadership that - What does leadership really mean?
That is a loaded question! Leadership has come to take on so many different meanings over the past decade that its true meaning has been defined, redefined and maybe even diluted. I have studied leadership, taught leadership and engaged in leadership but pinpointing a definition is still very difficult for me. The definition that I have found that works best for me was referenced by Stephen R. Covey in “The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time.”
“Leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.” (Covey, 2008, p. 41)
Along with the above definition, my view of leadership is grounded in Inspiration, Empowerment, Awareness and Action. Let me explain.
Inspiration: How does a good leader/boss/teacher/parent/friend encourage someone to accomplish a task? How does someone see how they can contribute to the greater good? How does one feel connected with a task or project? Great leaders are able to relate to people and knows how to tap into the passions of individuals to ignite a fire within each individual. What motivates or inspires one does not motivate or inspire everyone, good leaders know how to illustrate meaning in multiple ways.
Empowerment: Leadership should not be something that can be held onto. It should not be synonymous with power or titles. True leadership is something that allows others the opportunity to grow, thrive and achieve with help and support from others. A leader’s job is to give others the tools, skills and processes they need in order to be successful.
Awareness and Action: A true leader is someone who sees an opportunity and steps up to meet a need. Leaders are aware of their surroundings, the physical and the human, and are able to see potential. Leaders will identify the possibility and take steps towards making it a reality by tapping into the talents and skills of those around them.
What does leadership look like to you? What attributes to you value in a leader? What are you doing that makes you a leader?
How will you lead yourself?
We hear all about corporate leadership, youth leadership, personal leadership, leadership this, leadership that - What does leadership really mean?
That is a loaded question! Leadership has come to take on so many different meanings over the past decade that its true meaning has been defined, redefined and maybe even diluted. I have studied leadership, taught leadership and engaged in leadership but pinpointing a definition is still very difficult for me. The definition that I have found that works best for me was referenced by Stephen R. Covey in “The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time.”
“Leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.” (Covey, 2008, p. 41)
Along with the above definition, my view of leadership is grounded in Inspiration, Empowerment, Awareness and Action. Let me explain.
Inspiration: How does a good leader/boss/teacher/parent/friend encourage someone to accomplish a task? How does someone see how they can contribute to the greater good? How does one feel connected with a task or project? Great leaders are able to relate to people and knows how to tap into the passions of individuals to ignite a fire within each individual. What motivates or inspires one does not motivate or inspire everyone, good leaders know how to illustrate meaning in multiple ways.
Empowerment: Leadership should not be something that can be held onto. It should not be synonymous with power or titles. True leadership is something that allows others the opportunity to grow, thrive and achieve with help and support from others. A leader’s job is to give others the tools, skills and processes they need in order to be successful.
Awareness and Action: A true leader is someone who sees an opportunity and steps up to meet a need. Leaders are aware of their surroundings, the physical and the human, and are able to see potential. Leaders will identify the possibility and take steps towards making it a reality by tapping into the talents and skills of those around them.
What does leadership look like to you? What attributes to you value in a leader? What are you doing that makes you a leader?
How will you lead yourself?
No comments:
Post a Comment