What is Leadership?
By Tracy Stevens, MCC
A leader will show the way, conduct or escort, to guide in direction, to take or bring, to command or direct, to act as guide and show the way. Being a leader is not a position although often leaders are business owners, managers, or supervisors in the business world. Leadership is behaviors. We see this demonstrated at all ages.
Have you ever watched a group of children playing and noticed how one or two in the group seem to take on the lead role? These children are encouraging and supporting the other children in their efforts to succeed. When one child does not know how to do something, one of the “leaders” helps them to learn. They are patient, supportive and teaching. We can all learn from the children as they show one another how to achieve mastery of a task, they allow the time to practice and to make mistakes, they also celebrate the success with their friends. If we would apply these same skills to our adult relationships, what would the result be?
Recently, I was visiting one of
our local Elementary Schools as a classroom volunteer. While I was waiting
for the classroom teacher to join in the school lobby, the children were parading
to the lunchroom. Several, not one, but several of the young students stopped
and introduce themselves to me each at a different time. They said hello politely,
introduced them selves to me, they ask what brought me to their school and
ask my name. I found it interesting how their questions were about me and
what brought me to their school, the questions were not about them. They ask
if they would see me again and indicated that they had to go to lunch. They
said: “Goodbye Mrs. Stevens, I hope I get to see you again” and
they were off to lunch. The children ranged in age from 4 to 9. These young
children made me feel warm and welcome in their school.
It is not a secret that these children understand how to make someone feel
important and valued. This is true leadership. As community leaders we can
all learn from the children.
What is your leadership style? Are you warm and welcoming? Are you willing to help a colleague to become masterful? What is your level of patience like? Do you take the time to introduce yourself to a stranger and tell them you hope to see them again? How are you applying your leadership style to your career?
Today’s challenge: Apply the lessons learned from the children in your adult life and notice the differences you see.