Leadership begins with a decision to make a difference.
It is a decision to act, a decision to do something.
Leaders are people who decide to live and act in a way that brings about positive results: in their organizations, families, and communities.
The first decision, each day, is the decision to make a difference through leading others.
Even people who hold a position of leadership must choose to step up and lead.
From the first decision, many others follow — leadership is established through a series of decisions. Leaders face many decisions, both large and (seemingly) small. Yet each one is another opportunity to confirm and under gird the first one.
And that first decision is the one that matters most.
Will you choose to lead?
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.
I read this post this morning and found it to be greatly inspiring for a Monday morning. Thank you.
It seems so simple, doesn’t it, Becky? You’re absolutely right! Leadership is about decisions. A leader must be intentional. A great leader will also be aware of his/her impact on people, in addition to their business.
Thanks for the reminder this morning! It’s a good one that we should all keep top of mind!
Followers first decision matters a lot as well. Recall the Dancing Man video. It’s the decision of the first follower that transforms the dancing man from a lone nut into a leade.r
@Scott Thanks for stopping by. I am glad to be able to share something to inspire you on a Monday morning.
@Erin The word intentionality is so important with leadership. Thanks for bringing it into this discussion. We ACT with INTENTION.
@David How often do you think people follow intentionally, and as a result of a decision? When they do, I agree, it is an important decision that makes a big impact on the leader.
As opposed to following unconsciously? I’d say the bulk of people couldn’t put to adequate words what thought process they used to decide, but on some level there was one.
very informative great post keep it coming
I am currently enrolled in the BS Organizational Leadership Course at MSU. My practicum project is a result of taking the lead. Becky wrote, “Leadership begins with a decision to make a difference. It is a decision to act, a decision to do something.” I am a police officer who became frustrated with a seemingly lack of interest among officers to make DWI arrests. I decided to “do something.” This is an on going project but I must say that the initiative has made it all the way to the Chief of Police. I am excited that we are about to host our very first “saturated patrol” within our city. This is in addition to a “No Refusal” night. See https://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/alcohol/saturation_patrols/index.html for information on the saturation patrol. See https://www.tdcaa.com/node/1141 for information on the “No Refusal” policy. I am in the state of Texas.
Thanks for the encouragement; I will continue to lead from where I serve! I love reading the blog!