Are you a leader? Having a title or coveted corner office with windows doesn’t necessarily make you a leader. Conversely, not having a title or having to share work space with a maze of other cubicled workers doesn’t necessarily mean you are not.
Leadership is a noun whereas “to lead” is an action verb. Leadership needs action and how you act will define your credibility. No matter what your job role, you have a personal responsibility to give your best in all situations. Being an effective leader requires good judgment, effective decision-making, and creating a vision for success.
Find the leader in you by taking these actions:
Expect the best: Hold yourself and others to high standards. Don’t accept mediocrity. Always strive to be the best and encourage others to do the same.
Accept and meet responsibilities: Make sure you are clear of what is expected of you and that you live up to those standards. Make sure others understand what you expect of them. Whether it is a specific project or task, make sure everyone knows who is responsible for what.
Commit to continuous improvement: Always look for opportunities to improve the system. Focus on people as well as the processes. Bring quality everyday to the job.
Be customer driven: Maintain the mind set that everyone you interact with is either an internal or external customer. If customers ever stop needing you, so will the organization. Remember, being a leader means being there to serve in whatever capacity.
Start today with these simple steps to fulfill your mission and get on the right path for your personal best.