What gives a man or woman the right to lead?
It certainly isn’t gained by election or by appointment. Having position, title, rank, or degrees doesn’t qualify anyone to lead other people. And the ability doesn’t come automatically from age or experience, either. No, it would be accurate to say that no one can be given the right to lead. The right to lead can only be earned. And that takes time.
The Kind of Leader Others Want to Follow
The key to becoming an effective leader is not to focus on making other people follow, but on making yourself the kind of person they want to follow. You must become someone others can trust to take them where they want to go. As you prepare yourself to become a better leader, use the following guidelines to help you grow:
- Let go of your ego.
- Become a good follower first.
- Build positive relationships.
Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.
- Work with excellence.
Leaders who earn the right to lead give their all to what they do.
- Rely on discipline, not emotion.
Leadership is often easy during the good times. It’s when everything seems to be against you – when you’re out of energy, and you don’t want to lead – that you earn your place as a leader. During every season of life, leaders face crucial moments when they must choose between gearing up or giving up. To make it through those times, rely on the rock of discipline, not the shifting sand of emotion.
- Make adding value your goal.
- Give your power away.
One of the ironies of leadership is that you become a better leader by sharing whatever power you have, not by saving it all for yourself. You’re meant to be a river, not a reservoir.
Find courage, Display character.
People will recognize these admirable qualities and will follow you.
Remember that it takes time to become worthy of followers.
Circles In The Sand 