Leading by example

Leading by example is the one action that makes all the difference in leadership. The first step on the journey to credible leadership is clarifying your values ~ discovering what is important to you. All the decisions and actions along the path to success and significance is about who you are.

*What do you stand for? Why?
*What do you believe in? Why?
*What are you discontented about? What are you doing to rectify those feelings?
*What brings you suffering? Why?
*What makes you cry?
*What brings you great happiness that you feel you are jumping for joy? Why?
*What are you passionate about? Why?
*What keeps you awake at night?
*What's grabbed hold of your soul and won't let go?
*What do you want for your life?
*Think deeply....and go inward...what do you really care about? Are you spending enough time and energy on this?

Reflection is an important piece of leadership. Many people want to skip over this part, but until you assess where you are, it's difficult to find the right path to where you want to go. Leadership is an exploration of your inner self where your true voice resides. If you want to lead...you need to do so authentically. Our personal values drive our commitment to the organization and to the cause. You can't do what you say if you dn't believe in what you're saying!

I often think...what do I want others to say about me? Am I reflecting those values? If I tell myself I'll do it tomorrow...and tomorrow never comes... I am fooling myself that I want to change. Change starts today...not tomorrow if I am serious about becoming the person I am meant to be.

I have spent a lifetime learning about leading in organizations. However, now I am a mom. A new type of leadership...and I think.... what types of words or descriptions do I want my daughter to say about me? Those lofty thoughts I have...I try to put into action each day. It's not enough to just reflect, I have to have an action plan for being a mom, just as I do as leading people on a team or the organization.

Inspirational... motivational... engaging... loving....kind... those are things I want said about me. How do I put forth my personality, my own authentic self to make these things happen? How do I lead by example?

For me...I am in constant learning through people and circumstances that happen in my own life. I love life and live it to the fullest most days. I am never finished...I'm always a work in process. I continually am discovering and sharing my strengths and talents that are uniquely my own with others....not just work...but in life. I put my best into each task and leave each situation better than I found it. At least I try to do this to my best ability. I try and seek and find that which is beautiful in people that God brings into my life...and for me...I try to have a heart full of love and warm with compassion for people and animals. Life can be difficult, but it doesn't mean I can't still be warm and loving. Circumstances can be so overwhelming and stressful...but it doesn't have to take over my authentic self. I have found that is the inner joy in living and peace within myself that carries me through the stressful, troubling, and challenging times.

Do I fail? Yes...often. However, I don't allow failure to take over...I allow failure to become the lesson, a stepping stone to brighter days and hopefully a better person.