Why is leadership important? Today, with social media and the internet, it is very, very easy to be a follower. There are few authentic leaders.
Even those that are leaders are not 100% genuine. The leaders, such as influencers on Instagram, are looking for someone to show them how it is done and then copy.
For example, one influencer will send a box of gifts to his/her followers, and the next thing you know, every influencer you follow has sent a box of gifts to their followers – because it worked.
“Self-restraint, self-mastery, common sense, the power of accepting individual responsibility and yet of acting in conjunction with others, courage and resolution—these are the qualities which mark masterful people.”
Theodore Roosevelt
What is a leader?
A simple definition is that leadership is the art of motivating a group to act toward achieving a common goal. In a business setting, this can mean directing workers and colleagues with a strategy to meet the company’s needs.
What are the qualities that make a good leader?
- A person who has original ideas.
- A person who is inspiring.
- A person who is not afraid to stand up for his/her opinion, values, or beliefs.
- A person with a clear vision.
- A person who is strong, courageous, and brave.
- A person with the utmost integrity and honesty.
- A person with clear focus and alignment to their vision at all times.
How Is a Leader Born?
Derek Shivers did a brilliant TedTalk in 2010 called “How to Start a Movement.” In this talk, he explains how it takes guts to be a leader and do something different. Being different from the crowd can often be embarrassing, but if what you are doing looks fun, at least one person will join.
“The first follower transforms a lone nut into a leader.”
Dan Shivers
If you want to be a leader, if you want to build something bigger than yourself, if you want to empower and inspire people, you need an empowered community that is inspired by your actions and wants to join you. To do this, you offer them something more significant than what they could do on their own. And in return, your community enables you to be their leader.
“A leader needs the guts to stand alone and look ridiculous. But what he’s doing is so simple; it’s almost instructional. This is key. You must be easy to follow!” Dan Shivers.
Be Original, Be a Leader
Last weekend at the park with my nephew, it was evident who the leaders were at the playground. At first, the kids were swinging normally but after a few minutes, one kid put his stomach on the swing and decided to go in circles. His friend gave him a weird look, but another kid just had to try it. It looked too fun not to try. Within 10 minutes, all the kids were swinging on their stomachs.
At the playground, it became a competition to think of new whacky, fun, and crazy ideas to swing on the swing. Therefore, kids were rapidly switching from one person leading to the next.
As kids, we are more enthusiastic about trying new things and being natural-born leaders. One does not grow unless he is not open to trying new things.
Why is leadership important? We need more people to try new things to help define leaders and start positive movements. To shift the way people behave to build a better future. This is exciting.
