Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

When I first heard the statement by JC Maxwell that everything rises and falls on leadership, I merely fogged it off as another nice to know snippet and eagerly awaited the next one. There is so much to learn, and I was on a mission.

Little did I realise that what Maxwell said would soon trigger an insight so profound that it would shape my world forever.

Actually, the more I pondered the six words, the more irrefutable they became.

Why then I wondered did people respond so differently when I shared the good news with them? Would my new-found knowledge not be as life-changing or reassuring for them as well?

Surely the implication of these words was as relevant to success in their lives, as they were to mine?

Well, apparently not, perhaps they were still processing the ‘truth’. Or was the ambivalence a display of their personal ambition?

Likewise, paradigms and ignorance may restrict and limit thinking although the statements relevance, once processed and understood, should be amazing, even inspirational.

Who is leading your life, who is deciding over your future, who is responsible for giving your life meaning, who ultimately decides on your intrinsic fulfilment? The answers I believe are found when looking in the mirror.

Whichever way you look at it you cannot escape the importance of leadership because it applies to everyone, including You.

Leadership is intentional, especially with regards to relationships. It’s about authenticity and execution. It’s multi-faceted and to be fully understand it requires definition because knowing when to lead is as important as knowing what to do.    

Acknowledge the privilege to lead yourself and then follow through because if you don’t someone else will.

Next week’s post will be about the purpose of leadership.

I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.