Key's ABC'S to Leadership

What is a leader? The dictionary says that a leader is: a person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country; a guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement, or political group. Dr. Myles Monroe describes leadership as a person's capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose. Some leaders say that leadership is pure influence. Others say that the ultimate leader is a servant.

There are leaders who serve, and leaders who want to be served. There are leaders who have a title and a position, but have no real influence outside of the title. And then there are leaders who don't have the title or position, but possess a power to lead through their capacity to truly

impact and influence others. Some have a natural gift and talent for leadership, and their ability positions them to lead. And some are placed into a leadership position and then given the opportunities to develop leadership skills. And still others are driven to lead by necessity, accepting responsibility and stepping up to the plate when no one else will.

Weak leaders with a strong vision can do more good than strong leaders with no vision. If a leader has no vision, then he has nowhere to lead people, no matter how strong his influence or charisma may be. Even if someone doesn't possess all the skills and qualities of an effective leader, their commitment to a vision allows them to attract what they don't yet have.

I say that the most essential defining characteristic of a leader is a strong commitment to personal and professional growth. Through a commitment to growth, all of the key skills and characteristics of a leader can be cultivated and acquired.

Are you a leader? How do you know that you're a leader? Who told you that you were a leader? Did getting a position and a title make you a leader, or was it a deeper cultivation of the skills that it takes to lead? Did becoming a parent give you the skills and knowledge to wisely guide your child? Did becoming a teacher equip you with the

skills to lead a classroom? Before you ever lead anyone else, you have to remember that the hardest person to lead is yourself. The question is: who and what are you allowing to influence and lead you?