Developing Your Leadership Skills
Leadership = Influence. It is the art or process of influencing
people so that they will strive willingly and enthusiastically.
As human beings we all influence someone: parent to child,
teacher to student, friend to friend, employer to employee, and
coach to athlete. If you stop to think about it, the list is
endless. Since we are all capable of influencing others, we all
have the potential to be leaders. A leader is not necessarily
the person at the head of the table or the one with the title.
The next time you are in a meeting or a social function, see how
quickly you can tell who the real leader is: it is the person
others naturally watch, listen to, gravitate towards, and
follow. Leadership is more than a position. Leadership is a
skill. Because we all have areas in which we excel, from time to
time we are all thrust into leadership roles. While these
opportunities may seem uncomfortable at first, ask yourself a
few important questions. Which skills do I have that are being
called upon? What do I have to offer? Then, take the opportunity
to use these skills to move the situation forward. Leadership
takes time and experience to develop. Take advantage of these
opportunities to develop your leadership skills.