In The Leadership Challenge, Kouzes and Posner write, “Before you can become a credible leader… you first have to find your authentic voice, the most genuine expression of who you are.” Reflecting on this, and stating the genuine expression of myself: I am a motivator, and I love connecting with people. Through motivation and connection, I have been a leader and have experienced leadership from others. Over time I have formulated a personal leadership philosophy: a leader creates a vision, inspires others to act, and supports people through adversity to achieve a common goal. 

A leader has a vision

“Imagine if…” These are powerful words that can help establish a vision. A leader cannot lead if he or she does not know where they are going. Just the word “lead” implies that a destination exists. In my view, it is a leader’s responsibility to envision a goal, and to “imagine if.” This goal must be clear. Followers do not appreciate ambiguity about goals. While followers can help co-create the vision, I feel the leader is the person responsible for creating, sharing, and maintaining focus on the goal. Also, the vision must be clear. A lack of clarity or conviction can lead to wasted time, wasted effort, and wasted potential.  

A leader inspires

“We can make things better.” These words, spoken honestly and energetically, can be inpiring. This motivation drives people to action. In my view, motivation is instilled by sharing positive words, energy, and actions. While I acknowledge that each person has the power to motivate themselves, the words, energy, and actions of the leader are powerful means to motivate followers. As the saying goes, the speed of the leader is the speed of the pack, but I feel it goes beyond this. The energy of the leader is the energy of the pack. This energy can help followers stay focused and persist through challenges. Motivation helps keep the team working toward the goal. A leader’s positivity and sincere belief in the followers can instill confidence and resolve.   

A leader supports

“I believe in you.” These are powerful words that can help followers work through adversity. There are a few types of adversity that followers may face: personal, professional, and procedural, to name a few. As followers are humans, a leader should expect human-related challenges. Followers may have different ways of working and different ways of approaching problems. They may experience a death or birth in their family. They may not see eye to eye with other members of the group. They may be challenged by the work required. They may be fearful of taking risks or afraid of failing. Followers have emotions. Just as it is the leader’s role to energize the team toward action, it is also the leader’s role to create a supportive and trusting space for the followers to do and be their best.  

We need leaders. You are a leader. I hope you join me here to be a better leader for yourself and others.