Have you taken the time lately to think about your personal leadership? Are you using your influence to make a real difference? Asking and reflecting on these questions is fortunately an occupational perk in my profession. Success in today’s workplace demands more soft skills than just having the domain skill-set and prowess. At every stage in one’s career, there’s a benefit to honing people skills. To live, is to have opportunities to lead and influence people with the words we say, the actions we choose, and the decisions we make. You don’t need an official title nor to be given any formal power of authority to be a leader. All you need is a clear vision and a strong sense of mission.
When you have an emotional attachment, a relentless drive, and an unwavering commitment to complete the work you believe needs to get done, you attract a following. You inspire people who believe in the goal and are willing to rally around it. No matter who you are, where you come from, where you are, or what your current circumstances are, if you can imagine a better path forward, you can create it. And as you work to pave the way, you are both influencing and being influenced by others. Leaders come in many forms and sometimes from the most unlikely people.
I was inspired by the NPR Rough Translation story El Hilo: Walking to Venezuela. It’s about Orlando Pimentel’s self-proclaimed mission to get himself and his fellow Venezuelans safely home, even when it meant walking 1,300 miles. Orlando’s decision to leave Venezuela in pursuit of a better life has gone terribly wrong when Coronavirus hit Latin America. Things got progressively more difficult along the way, and the strong(er) people left the group one by one to make the grueling journey home at their own pace. Yet, Orlando stuck to his leadership mission to leave no person behind. Probably unknowingly living out the famous quote by Nelson Mandela comparing a leader to a shepherd who “stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” Orlando did not forsake the tired and the sick. He stayed behind. He cultivated a setting in which others could step up and achieve the goal of getting home. When they did, Orlando’s influence prevailed. They sent money to help those with whom they shared the risks and perils of the journey. Orlando’s leadership inspired and enlisted them in the shared view of bringing everyone safely home.
Each of us is given the choice to be our “best self.” And each of us has been granted a sphere of influence. Our gift to others is to first become the best version we can be, and then to influence them to do the same, to help others create change in their life. Don’t fall into the mental trap of “I am just a…”. Leadership is a mindset; it doesn’t depend on external factors such as position, or title. True leaders give themselves permission to lead. It starts with owning your values, beliefs, choices, and actions.
A 5-step Leadership Plan:
Take initiative – connect with your intrinsic motivation to identify needs and to do things without being told. Own the responsibility to find out what you need to know, and get to work. Keep going when the going gets tough.
Strive for personal and professional excellence – use your strengths, abilities, and skills in the best way possible. Always reflect on where you are and how you can improve. Mistakes are inevitable, accept and learn from them to do better next time around.
Let go of seeking validation & approval from others – we all need feedback and encouragement. However, start with recognizing and accepting your own worth. Get in the habit of acknowledging and celebrating your strengths, efforts, progress, and successes.
Prioritize learning and development – invest in yourself. Allocate time, space, and energy to learn and grow. Move from making excuses to chasing endeavor. View challenges as opportunities and apply different learning tactics to flourish.
Expand your sphere of influence – mindfully create the opportunities to contribute at a higher level. Be thoughtful in your choices with whom you surround yourself and how you spend your time. Make a conscious decision to volunteer for projects and to serve not only your own self- interests but to promote the greater good.
In a world filled with challenges, our hope is for more true leaders. Yes, you. Anyone committed to finding a new way forward.
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