Competition today is fierce; change is everywhere and windows of opportunity seem to be gone before they are fully open. In times like this the responsibility of leadership can feel heavier than usual.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
The honest truth is this: We can all succeed and we can all be less stressed if everyone has the opportunity to lead and does their share.
If we work together and have one another’s backs, then we will all share in our wins.
Here are some simple but significant ways we can all lead, and succeed, together:
Everyone leads. If each of us were to step up to own our own leadership, we would have a huge number of people taking action and moving forward and creating a great force. The drive for leadership carries itself forward.
Everyone contributes. The job of a leader is to get everyone to understand and believe that each one has something powerful to contribute, and that their contribution is vital to success. The more diverse the effort, the better.
Everyone dares. We all have it within us to dare, to take the risks. When everyone is empowered to lead, we can seize opportunity and act decisively even in the absence of certainty.
Everyone commits. Commitment takes courage and tenacity, because we never know where the journey will actually take us. The willingness to commit, to persevere, to follow through, is among the strongest of forces.
Everyone trusts. It’s an old adage of management: Find the most talented people you can and trust them. And that trust, in turn, inspires them to trust one another, and you. When the crunch comes, and it always does, trust is the greatest asset any team can have.
Everyone believes. A huge part of leadership lies communicating a vision, a purpose, a shared ideal. Fostering belief in others does not come from money or coercion; it comes from a shared commitment and purpose.
Everyone appreciates. Each one of us wants to be treated as a unique and valuable individual. Appreciation comes from empowering others, and great leadership comes from recognizing others for who they are and what they bring to the team.
Everyone inspires. When people share victories, they inspire one another. The key to inspiration is to find those who lift others up, whose sheer presence calls forth the best from those around them.
Everyone influences. Influencing others means respecting them, by mentoring them, coaching them—not as the one in the spotlight, but leading the applause. When everyone gives of their influence, teams are unstoppable.
Everyone succeeds. Success is much more meaningful when it comes from a joint effort. When it’s not about us individually but all of us together, we all share the victory and are strengthened as a team for the next challenge.
Lead From Within: Leadership isn’t supposed to be a solo act. It takes each one of us fulfilling our personal purpose to make a difference together—and when that happens, we all succeed.
N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
Roger Laidig
12. May, 2015
It seems that leadership within means engaging everyone to take responsibility. Your post does a really good job of elaborating how how this can be manifested.
Susan Mary Malone
12. May, 2015
I’m so glad I found you! Your posts make me believe that anything truly is possible–with great leadership. Warms my heart!
ali reza shahmansouri
12. May, 2015
You writing best article and best advice in business and i think i have play with my personality when i can’t have conversation with my partner who settle down all problems in our relationship
Panteli Tritchew
13. May, 2015
Any actions we take create rippled , like pebbles tossed in a pond. Our waves ripple with crests and troughs. But we don’t own the pond. Others are tossing pebbles as well.
When the crest of one wave collides with the crest of another, they amplify each other. When the crest of one wave collides with the trough of another, they cancel each other. Too many waves create turbulence.
“Leadership isn’t supposed to be a solo act.” When everyone leads and contributes, shares commitment and victory, dares and inspires, we amplify each other. Waving from Vancouver!
jose
14. May, 2015
Ver y good post to create leaders
Duncan M.
15. May, 2015
I really like how you emphasized the idea of unity and fighting together to achieve a common purpose. Each and every person plays a role in a company, house, community, etc., and it is up to the leader to make the others understand how important it is to complete a job as a team and not as competitors. This article is indeed empowering and inspiring.
Manuel Dominguez
16. May, 2015
As a leader it is refreshing and inforcing to read your writings.
Thank you and God Bless.
Manuel Dominguez
Security Agency Manager
Ward Security Corp.
Claude Emond
17. May, 2015
Fantastic post Lolly.
I foster the same spirit to my students in workshops and in conferences. Co-leadership is the path to our sustainable future and our collective happiness. Keep inspiring us.
I just bought your book and encourage everyone to do so.
Thank you very much and cheers from Montreal.
Claude
Enock Machodi
18. May, 2015
It feels great to leave my first comment on what I’ve come to know as the #1 Leadership blog. These posts mean a lot, and Lolly tells it like it is – It takes each one of us to make a difference for all of us.
Marco Dannerhill
18. Oct, 2015
I have been following your posts for a while now and all of them are great reminders of what is important in life and how all people from within can choose to be a leader and by passion for human beings inspire others to make a difference. Still we see more and more injustice, fake values and intolerance on our planet. Your first word in this article says a lot; Competition. Our world is full of it, society, media and social networks pushing us even more in that direction. In such an extent that it blinds us from staying true to ourselves and living for what is really important, the well being of our planet and all people living on it. We are all unique human beings with our strengths and weaknesses. We need more people like you to constantly remind us on how to make a difference.
Patrick Magee
12. Nov, 2015
I am amazed how consistently outstanding your writings are.
Jon Umstead
11. Dec, 2015
Great point that everyone leads. It’s hard for some people to think of themselves as leaders but when it comes down to it, everyone plays a leadership (or can) in something, no matter how big or small. So it behooves everyone, of all walks, to improve upon their leadership skills.
Romario Villanueva
04. Jul, 2016
Fantastic points. I really like the one: Everyone Contributes.
It’s true that everyone is really good at one thing. A real leader allows room for growth but also a balance of constructive criticism.
Maybe another point would be: Everyone is Accountable.
Does anyone else have any other points to add?
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