Are Leaders Born or Made?

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It has been many years since the late Stephen Covey introduced the 8^th Habit which focuses on “finding your Leadership voice” which would imply that each and every one of us has one, right?  This fact has been up for debate for years depending upon who is offering the advice.

I believe everyone comes into the world with two gifts. One is the gift of life, and the other is the freedom to make choices which leads me to believe that Leadership is a choice.

Many people view management as leadership. It’s not. Leadership comes from influence, and influence can come from anyone at any level and in any role. Being open and authentic, helping to lift others, and working toward a common mission build influence. True leadership comes when those around you are influenced by your life in a positive way:

1. Influence
2. Inspire
3. Empower

LEADERSHIP IS A CHOICE!

In my personal and professional Leadership teachings, I focus on three critical components of leadership:

1. Y.O.U. (Your Own Uniqueness) as a leader and finding your leadership voice
2. Your organization’s leadership voice
3. Helping your employees to find their leadership voice

This is important because finding your voice and inspiring others to find their voice, through effective organizational alignment, is critical to success. You must begin by doing a thorough self-assessment and answering four critical questions:

FOUR CRITICAL QUESTIONS:

1. Where have I been?
2. Why am I here?
3. What can I do?
4. Where am I going?

“Where have I been” addresses a critical component of success called clarity – how do you come to a place of clarity?  You will be clear when you discover the answer to this question.

“Why am I here” addresses the courage you need in order to make a bold move.  What courage do you currently possess (or need) to take to make a bold move?

“What can I do” will determine the creativity you have inside you.

“Where am I going” is the contribution you want to make as you enter a new phase of your life.

In order for an organization (or individual) to be successful, it begins and ends with you.  You must tap into your inner navigation system – M.A.P. (Mindset/Actions/Passion). It is your roadmap to success, and it lives in you.

You are the CEO of your life, and you finding your Leadership voice is the first step in defining your own unique personal BRAND.