Recently I have been doing quite a bit of “unfettering” in the area of leadership. The simple definition of leadership that I have clung to for years is … the ability to influence others to do great things. Breaking this down, what I love so much about this definition is …
- … the focus on ABILITY vs. title, possessions, power, compensation, rank, and so forth. And what is cool about that is everyone has ability. It is inside each one of us. Thus, we are all leaders because we all have the ability to influence.
- … the emphasis on INFLUENCE. Leadership is an everyday experience because every day we are placed in situations where we are influencing others (intentionally and unintentionally). At work, at home, at the store, on the phone, waiting in line, driving in traffic, interacting with people. With our spouse, our children, our parents, our customers, our co-workers. A great story about Everyday Leadership is a TED Talk by Drew Dudley who shares what is a “lollipop moment” as it applies to leadership. Let’s don’t make leadership something so big that we are afraid of it or don’t believe it applies to us … leadership / influence is an every day opportunity.
- … the priority on OTHERS. Leadership is primarily about serving others — not elevating one’s self. One can only lead to the extent one is willing to serve.
- … the quest for GREAT things. Leadership and influence can be used for bad things, minor things, mediocre things, the ordinary, the normal. No … let’s use our influence to spark others to achieve greatness.
A passage from the book “Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson inspires all of us to lead and influence …
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
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Hi Jamie,Thanks for the comment! Sorry for the tardy reply smoehow your comment was tagged as spam (?!?).Yes, I am from the scale paper doll school as well. But, I though the photography method was kind of innovative. It can make sense if time is really short and/or when folks do not have prints (which happens a lot more than I would expect). Thanks for sharing the link to your thesis. I will be sure to check it out and I hope that others do as well.Best regards,Mark