Leadership is “the power or ability to lead other people,” Merriam Webster says. It’s the “go to” quality that employers seek and that countless self-help books try to teach. Leadership always has been, and always will be, in demand, especially in the workplace.
Leadership doesn’t require a title. People are not born great leaders. Anyone can lead if they have the grit, desire and guts to lead.
Leadership is a talent that is practiced, nurtured and honed. It comes in all sizes, forms, ages and gender.
What is leadership?
1. Leadership often starts early. It is inviting the “invisible” new kid to sit at your school lunch table when it is risky to your own status with the “in crowd.”
2. Leadership is asking the question in the meeting that everyone wants the answer to but is too afraid to ask.
3. Leadership is deciding to delay the new product launch the day before it’s scheduled to be released because you know that the product won’t meet your customers’ expectations.
4. Leadership is leading from the trenches, being willing to get your hands dirty alongside your team. Leadership is not about being in the ivory tower.
5. Leadership is making the tough calls when no one else is willing to and taking the hits that come with necessary, but unpopular, decisions.
6. Leadership is spending your time coaching others to help them learn and then empowering them to do great work without interference.
7. Leadership is having the self-confidence to give the credit for the big project to your team and making them the stars, not you.
8. Leadership is sacrificing your self interests for the common good of many.
9. Leadership is taking the blame when things don’t go as planned and not making excuses. Leadership is doubling down to learn what you could have done differently to achieve a better outcome. Leadership is publicly sharing your mistakes and what you learned from them.
10. Leadership is knowing when to lead and knowing when to step aside and let others lead.
11. Leadership is individual, yet its impacts are far reaching. Good leaders make positive impacts and praise publicly. Poor leaders berate and deride people in front of others.
12. Leadership is speaking up and calling out behavior that is sexist, racist or otherwise demeaning to an individual or group. Great leaders do this when the affected party is present and when they are not.
13. Leadership is being open to hearing ideas that are at odds with your own.
14. Leadership is admitting when you are wrong. Leadership is apologizing genuinely and not making excuses for your behavior.
15. Leadership is about people, not things, accolades or awards.
16. Leadership is not assigned. It is not given. It is earned. You are not picked to be a leader. You choose to be one by your actions.
17. Leadership is hard work.
Are you ready to lead? Because we definitely need more leaders.
Lisa R. Miller is founder and chief career catalyst at C2C, College to Career, where she helps college students, recent graduates and young professionals navigate the transition from college to career faster and with more confidence. Prior to launching C2C, Miller enjoyed a 25-year executive career with Hannaford Supermarkets.