Leadership Practices

I know people who treat leadership as an intellectual exercise.

We read about leaders and leadership. We talk about examples of leadership, analyzing and assessing. Many people study leadership, trying to distill key concepts and essential elements that strengthen leaders.

We live in a time when our concept of what leadership is and how people lead is changing rapidly. It can be helpful to gain as much knowledge as we can about leadership and how it works. Reflecting on examples from the past can help us prepare for our own leadership experiences.

I have learned my most valuable lessons about leading by practicing leadership.

For me, leadership is not an academic field that I can master. I do not learn leadership the way I study geometry or chemistry. I do not learn to do leadership; I become a leader.

Leadership is something I practice. My leadership grows and develops, I become the leader I have the potential to be, as I practice leadership.

My leadership does not come from a set of rules or standards. It does not come from a title or position in an organization. My leadership is sparked by, and reflects, who I am at my deepest.

Each day I practice leadership. I remember my own core values, listening to the truths they tell me. I reflect on how those values can be translated into a vision, goals, and objectives. I work hard to put them into practice.

As the people around me and I share our true selves, we bring out the best in each of us. Our leadership helps each of us become the leaders we have the potential to be.

Each day, the leadership we practice together inspires us to become more.

When are you practicing your leadership today?

How are you becoming a leader?

[Image by Stuart Seeger]