Leader?

Do you see yourself as a leader?

Talk about a loaded question!

Without diving into definitions and rhetorical questions about the topic, I can say yes. And no. Allow me to explain.

I potentially impact others through the example of my actions, the quality of my actions, my work ethic, and my integrity. But these are the types of things that don’t change with respect to the title I have. I will work and act the same way whether I’m a stock person at a mom and pop store or a CEO of a billion dollar corporation. And the same applies to things I do for family, friends, community, or even strangers. I only hope that these things inspire others to do the same in their own lives. So, in that regard, yes, I consider myself a leader.

Do I run a company? An organization? A military unit? A department? A country? A movement calling for revolution? A cult? No. I do not motivate or inspire people to do things that I, or some kind of collective mission, need them to do. So, in that regard, I do not consider myself a leader.

The potential capacity for leadership is another question for a different day.😉