Patricia J Evans.com

A leader is “a person who influences a group of people towards the achievement of a goal”.

Is leadership a position of office or authority? Or, is leadership an ability in the sense that he is a leader because he leads?
We all may know or hear of people who are in positions of leadership but who are not providing leadership.

A position of office is no guarantee of leadership but it helps in the sense that a leadership position usually commands a listening ear from its people and that is a good starting point for anyone who desires to be a leader.

“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.”
Theodore M. Hesburgh

“The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.”
Eric Hoffer.

Many people are strong outgoing leaders but that is not the only type of leader that we see…. some are quiet achievers who gradually come out of their shell and become great leaders because we see other qualities in them that were not there with others. They can have the same vision but often have more honesty, passion and belief in what they are doing.
They are often more purpose driven to achieve often because of financial constraints and trying to make ends meet.

These qualities build up a sense of trust in others as they see someone in the same predicament as they are and driven by passion and purpose they follow. When leaders feel empathy for the situation of others and relate to others in a caring sharing this encourages others to follow them and united in a goal….however simple that may be , they are achieved.

In turn these followers learn from their leaders who are by now brimming with confidence and far from the introvert that they used to be, how to become good leaders themselves.

The best leaders are ones who are trained by a mentor and pass their skills on by mentoring others. It is not reserved for the select few but can be attained by everyone who desires to lead. In marketing the more leaders we have the more success will be achieved as there will be more input,participation and better results.

As leaders encourage others towards their vision and goals , to speak to others and to stand up and get out of their comfort zone the transformation begins as the critical element for leaders comes into play ……love for others.

The easiest way to illustrate how a leader influences and guides other towards achieving a goal is through the 3 P’s diagram……Person….People and Purpose which is illustrated below

Then when communicating your goal remember that it should met the following criteria:-

Achievable….realistic…yet but far enough to be faith stretching.
Inspiring….challenging people to give of their best.
Measurable……quantifiable .
Shared……..declaring your conviction in and commitment to the goal.

So if you have never considered yourself a leader, think again. Do you possess these qualities…..yes, you may be quiet…..you may lack confidence, ….step out of your comfort zone and see what happens as their is a leader lurking inside everyone and it often goes unrealised .

Step forward and lose that fear…take a step of faith and become that leader that you have always admired in others……..Surprise yourself …..as our team grows so many leaders will be needed ……. the next leader will be you.

We need leaders to achieve the goals of the team because one cannot achieve alone …..we are a team effort and we need you.

Step up and step forward, become that leader and mentor to others that follow you.