Born to Lead

Leading by Example
As an athlete, I was taught to lead with my actions. I found it difficult to understand why others couldn’t/wouldn’t work as hard. Why some wouldn’t take it as serious, but also wouldn’t view the moment the same as I did.

My coaches told me, I can only control what I do, and how I react. If I showed a level of intensity, and a level of urgency, the teammates who didn’t have that same level of intensity or urgency would follow.

I have also learned, don’t ask people to do something you’re not willing to do yourself. Good leaders understand that if I wouldn’t or could not do it, why should anyone have to.

Lead to help create Leaders
The thing I care most about becoming a leader, is what I feel a lot of leaders lack. This has been especially the case recently in my career. A leader only focused on their own career, but not actually placing that focus in the ones around them that they affect the most, isn’t a leader.

I’ve been fortunate to work with really great leaders, and those not so much. I was told, leaders primarily are leaders of people, which tends to be the hardest part. Which I agree and don’t agree.

I agree, you become a leader to enable, and help grow those that work for/with you. I don’t consider it the hardest part. I consider trying to understand and learn that part, the most interesting and fun.

I want and will push for those that work with me, but also if I was in a position of a leader in career for me. I want them to reach their goals, and in some cases, if they don’t even have a clue where they want to go, I will still push them to greater heights.

Learning to Become a Leader
I recently had a conversation with my brother. A leader isn’t made in a class room. A leader notices things they find useful. They ignore things that they know create issues or conflict.

They understand what their team needs, but also they are humble enough to ask for help when they don’t understand. A good leader wants to always be better. I recently had a manager who refused to understand how the company, but also they could improve.

What would you expect when it comes to leading from that manager in the future? Pretty much nothing to change, all while they still refuse to admit they have flaws and still need to grow.

I know I have flaws. I know I will work on them. People who don’t see this and ignore it, let them be. They are projecting. A good leader knows themselves, but also knows their team. Strengths and weaknesses are just areas for improvement.

My hope is to eventually become a leader in my career. Specifically, to counter balance the ones that aren’t enough for the team members who want to grow, learn, and eventually become leaders.

It starts with listening, which to me, seems to be the much more difficult skill for bad leaders.

Instead of being right, let’s focus on getting to the right answer, as a team.

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