Many times, we assume that leadership is something that everyone desires. Our western culture idolizes Hollywood celebrities, social media influencers, religious gurus and business magnates as leaders we should emulate. We push our children to lead in school government, sports and their friend groups. However, as difficult as you may find this to believe, not everyone has the desire to be a leader. It’s true. No matter how much we may cajole, attempt to persuade, or try to convince them, there are those among us whose response, whether stated verbally or not is, “Hmph. What’s so great about being a leader?” They may see it as a responsibility that they feel ill-prepared to assume or as an added burden that they would prefer to omit from their task list.
Nevertheless, whether we acknowledge it or not, we ALL lead someone. The first person we lead, for good or for ill, is ourselves. Starting at a young age, we all make choices, take actions, or elect through inaction to direct the outcome of our experience. We cannot escape it. As Harvey Cox famously opined regarding passivity, even “not to decide, is to decide.” So, with this in mind, let’s think about what leadership means. If it is not confined to title or position or supervising others, what is it? John Maxwell says simply, “Leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
As we walk through our daily human experience, we will certainly influence others. As a parent, as a friend, as a co-worker, as a spouse. The question then becomes, what kind of leader do I want to be? It’s important to note that just as you have the opportunity to inspire and motivate others, you also have the ability to discourage and derail others. You may positively impact an individual’s or a team’s success, or you may negatively impact that success. You may foster growth or hinder growth; you may gain personal and professional development opportunities, or you may lose them. You may develop and enhance skills, or you may squander even the natural abilities and talents that you have been gifted with. You may improve morale and foster engagement, or you may unwittingly create a toxic environment characterized by lack of direction and unresolved conflict.
So, where to begin? John Maxwell’s update of his very first book, Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 is a great place to start. In it, John sheds light on such foundational questions as how to develop the vision, values, influence, and motivation required to make a positive impact by first leading yourself, then others. Leadership can seem overwhelming, but when we understand that we are all leading in some capacity, the obligation to grow in this endeavor seems clear. Let’s move forward, taking our inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who encouraged, “you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
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Lora Morse serves as a certified teacher, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Leadership team. As one who embraces the value of being a lifelong learner, she loves to share her enthusiasm for self-improvement and personal development with others. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Business Administration from Roanoke College in Salem, VA, and a master’s in healthcare administration from Queens University of Charlotte.