I was recently asked to reflect on leadership based on my life experiences. Here are my two cents:
The concept of leadership first appeared in my life when I started playing sports. The leaders around me set good examples for others to follow. They practiced hard, played harder, and always looked out for the rest of the team. Leaders gave advice and supported their peers, sincerely hoping that they could make everyone around them better. Leaders were the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave. Most importantly, leaders in sports never gave up!
When I got my first job, I would learn more about what it means to be a leader. In the workplace, leaders are those who follow the rules and expectations that the boss lays out for everyone. Leaders arrive early, stay late, cover other people’s shifts, and train others who are new or need more support. Most importantly, leaders in the workplace share their experiences and wisdom with others to make the whole machine operate more smoothly.
Now that I have my own family, I have learned a few more characteristics of a leader. In a family, leaders are not selfish. They make decisions with everyone’s best interests in mind. Leaders sacrifice their own needs and desires to help their family members get what they want. Leaders do not try to be perfect, they are honest about their flaws, and they guide their family members through the obstacles of life so that everyone can be as happy as possible.
So, what is leadership based on my experiences? Leadership is when someone takes it upon themselves to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and help others better themselves. The best leaders never leave anyone behind on their journey towards ultimate success.
Thank you for reading and following along.
