Leadership is about Choices...
When one thinks of the word 'leadership', typically headline grabbing personalities on the world stage of business or politics often jump to mind.
However, I don't think that leadership is that grandiose. We all do it everyday to a certain extent, when we care for our kids, do our jobs or help a stranger.
I believe leadership consists of 2 parts.
The first part is a choice exercised by the leader. It is the choice to take personal responsibility to change the current situation for the better. You can choose to let things slide. Or take a stand to do what must be done because it is the right thing to do.
The second part of leadership is also a choice, but exercised by people choosing to follow the leader. They do so, because the leader exhibits good leadership behaviors such as listening, understanding, developing and communicating vision and ensuring that decisive action is taken. These are behaviors that can be learned and honed. However they need to be expressed authentically from the heart rather than emulated from a 'book of best practice'. People can tell if someone is doling out platitudes or pretending to care about things just to be 'on trend'.
So, on a foundation of authenticity, good leadership traits can be learned.
...but leadership itself is a personal choice.
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