Leadership is a Choice

Putting someone in a leadership position does not automatically make them a leader. It just makes them in charge. You can’t force leadership; it’s the kind of role that someone has to choose to step into. A leader is someone who guides and inspires others. They take on big responsibilities, and they don’t back down from a challenge. They understand the importance of their role for the organization and its employees, and it is not something that they take lightly.

The role of a leader is dynamic. It requires resilience, adaptability, and commitment. People look to their leaders for direction, and they follow their example. A leader must demonstrate the kinds of behaviors and actions that they want from their team. They must remain calm under pressure and maintain strong emotional control. A leader is not just someone who tells you what to do and where to go. A leader is someone who brings out the best in others and inspires them to take action.

Think about the traits of a leader that would make you trust and follow them. What is the mark of a great leader? Why should you take their advice on something? Now think about what you are like as a leader. Are you leading in a way that encourages others to trust and follow you? If not, what do you need to be doing differently to become the leader that others would actually want to follow? What would make you want to follow yourself? Take some time to reflect on that. Effective leadership is critically important in business. Don’t take your role for granted.

People don’t become leaders by chance; they become leaders by choice. They choose to show up, they choose to follow through, they choose to develop themselves continually, they choose to lead by example, they choose to help and guide others, they choose to overcome obstacles, and they choose to lead with purpose. If you want to become a great leader instead of just someone in a leadership position, you have to choose that. Focus on learning, growing, and bettering yourself, and before you know it, people will start choosing to follow you.

-Meghan Slaughter