Do you feel compelled to lead?
This week I started the training that I will need to complete to become an instructor for Mountain State University online.
Our online programs use Blackboard, and my exposure before this week consisted of logging in a handful of times to the Blackboard platform used by our Doctorate students, to get to know them and read some of their work.
Now that I am enrolled in an actual course, I am motivated to learn Blackboard, and I’ve been logging in about twice a day to make sure I am fulfilling my course responsibilities.
One of my early observations about myself in this course: My desire to lead and direct others is irresistible.
I have written before, and I believe, that leadership is for everyone. People who want to be effective in leading others can learn how. Leadership is not about a position as much as it is about taking action and practicing a set of habits, deciding to make a difference.
But I wonder, also, if leadership is an infectious condition, one you can “catch” from others or re-infect yourself with, again and again.
I see a need, and I want to step up and meet it.
I join a group, and start to think about what I could do to help it run smoothly.
It feels as natural as breathing, and I jump in and get involved.
Join the conversation!
What about you? Do you find the desire to lead irresistible? How can leaders “infect” others with this condition?
This was originally posted at Mountain State University LeaderTalk and is re-posted with permission.
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.
Leadership is a choice – sometimes conscious & other times unconscious, but nonetheless a choice. The good news is that choices can become habits, and habitual behavior is by definition infectious. Great post Becky…
The inherent desire to lead is not necessarily found in everyone. Some individuals are simply happy to be the “worker bees.” I too share your desire to lead and always volunteer for those positions. One thing is for sure, once you have a taste for it, you crave it even more.
Becky,
I, like you, feel the irresistible need to lead! Over the years, I have learned to also stay back and be led. Sometimes it works out, other times it creates a wonderful opportunity to offer feedback and gently contribute from behind the scenes.
Like a great film, if you forget you’re watching a movie then the entire film crew has succeeded to create this magic. I tend to hold the same view of all teams: Irresistible leadership (in front or behind the scenes) creates passion and enthusiasm that produces magic no matter what the product or service.
Sonia
Hi Becky,
WOW what a great post. Such great responses as well. In general, I am usually happy to remain a worker bee. That said, being around those who inspire me with their leadership (or whose lack of good leadership motivates me) I do start to think of ways I can help make things run smoothly, and even begin to enjoy helping things along. Good leaders really do inspire others to leadership, and some people need there inherent leadership qualitys mentored out by others. Great thought Becky. I have something to mull on today. Thanks.
Becky,
I’ve thought about this many times throughout the years. Being the introvert that I am, when I get into a new situation I sit back and observe for a while, reflected on what is going on. In almost every single instance, if there is something I can see that I can do to help, I eventual start leading the way. Sometimes by being out in front but most times leading from the side or background.
I think there are those like us that are just wired to find our way to leadership. And, with all humility, we must be good at it. Because if we keep doing it and people follow, then we must be doing something right.
Hi Becky, that feeling used to be called initiative as I said at https://mappingcompanysuccess.com/2010/01/leaderships-future-the-key-to-leadership-and-life/
I’m not sure how happy I am to see the concept co-opted by the leadership movement.
I’ve seen that language squelch too many people who have enormous initiative or initiative in specific situations, but don’t consider it ‘leadership’.
Dear Becky,
I’m really interested what you think. Do you think that MBA programs in colleges should have leadership classes as required courses (meaning that if a student fails his/her leadership class, he/she doesn’t get MBA degreee. Period.) or such classes should be optional? What do you say?