Want to be a Leader? Strive for Leadership

Being a "leader" is often equated with being "outgoing" or "powerful".

In my 10+ years of studying leadership, practicing leadership, and developing the leadership of others- I can tell you that the above sentence is very far from the truth. 

And really- Leadership isn't "a leader". 

It is not a position or title. It is not your name tag or business card. It's not the "ex-[company]" on your LinkedIn tagline. 

Leadership is action. Leadership is a practice.

I will repeat -> Leadership is action: it is what you do and how you do it. 

Two levels: 1. What you do and 2. How you do it. 

Imagine: you are a supervisor. But, if you are not making decisions, collaborating with others, investing in your team, and understanding the needs of those you are serving- are you actually a "leader"? Most people would say, "No." 

Think about it this way- you could be a certified chef, but if you don't cook or bake- are you a chef? 

Many of you might be thinking "Well, it's obvious. You have to be active to be a leader". 

Well, unfortunately, we do live in a world that is flawed- where some "leaders" get put into positions of high influence based on bias, favoritism, pay, or bribery. 

Another example: I'm sure you or someone you know had that middle school "teacher" that just gave you worksheets to fill out and popped in a movie into that giant TV on wheels... Reflect on it now... where they actually a teacher? Let me re-phrase: where they actually teaching?

See! The verb, the action, matters! 

I am speaking high level here: action. Some leadership practices (or actions) aren't healthy: micromanagement, power-hungry, isolating others, etc. Not all actions make positive impacts. 

That's the "How". 

How you rise to the occasion...
How you engage with others...
How you communicate...

Is what defines your leadership style and speaks to your character. 
That will be a future post!

For now, just reflect on this:

Leadership is action- not a position or title.

You do not need a status, title, or role to practice leadership.