There are
many styles of Leadership, as any glance at a Google search will tell you. Try
typing the term “Leadership Styles” into your browser and see what comes up.
You’ll find close to a million results.
That
means the experts have a lot to say about Leadership, as well they should. The
topic is as ancient as tribal warfare, and requires as much cunning to effect
as a slick Silicon Valley tycoon. Leadership is fundamental to us as
individuals, as family members, as a society.
Yet no
other topic is quite as individual as your own personal Leadership style. The
way you comport yourself on a daily basis and the way you lead groups of people
is a direct expression of who you are as a unique human being. The choices you
make express your own brand of integrity, your values and goals, your opinions
and beliefs.
Is your
legacy coming across clearly? Do people understand what you’re about? And
if so, is your message as captivating as it could be? Sharing your own unique
vision – communicating it clearly and concisely – is one of the most important
things you can do as a leader. Making sure your message is credible is also
crucial for your effectiveness.
Whether
your personal style of Leadership is laid back Laissez-Faire, or your regularly
scheduled meetings take on a more Autocratic tone, there is one thing you can
count on. Opportunity will find you. The real question is: when it comes, will
you be ready?
The
answer to this question can be debated in the context of whether or not the
premise is actually true – whether Fortune really will find you, or if Fortune
only favors a few. In my decade of service as a trainer in the Personal Development industry, my
response is as simple as the words found inside a Chinese fortune cookie:
“Fortune will find you. It is certain.”
They say
that luck is merely the condition created when preparation meets opportunity.
If you’re pursuing any goal with focused, consistent application, you will
indeed meet your opportunity. So how can you be prepared when opportunity truly
does come your way? The answer is more simple than you might think.
In my
line of work, I’m privileged to know an assortment of society’s most
thought-provoking leaders. They range from Olympic gold medalists to
former Navy Seals, and from successful business owners to single moms who tell
inspiring stories of their fresh start.
All of
them are Leaders. But not all of them are successful in getting the rest of the
world to view them as they’d like. Some of them have the light of brilliance
shining inside them, but they have a tough time gaining the credibility they so
richly deserve. What I see is that a simple choice to meet opportunity
with preparation will bring them all the luck they need.
What I’ve
discovered is that there are basically two types of professionals. There are
those who are prepared for opportunity; and those who aren’t.
Are you
ready?
3 Steps to Positioning Success as a Leader
Anyone
can use a simple 3-step process to crystallize their unique perspective and
position themselves as a leader in their field.
1.
Define: Take
some time to get clear about what it is you stand for. What expertise do you
have in your field? If you had just one hour to share your most valuable
information with someone starting out in your field today, what would you tell
them? Get your thoughts together on this, and give yourself the gift of clarity
in this area.
2.
Execute: Write
your thoughts in a well-organized, carefully crafted form. it can be anything
from a a series of blog posts, to a longer form such as a white paper, or even
a full-length book. Whatever form it takes, get your thoughts into a format
that will give you both leverage and credibility.
3.
Publicize: Once
you’ve gotten your ideas into print form, get the word out. Tell the world just
what you believe and how people can go deeper on your topic. Share links to
your good works, and don’t be afraid to promote your ideas through multiple
exposures.
It’s not
that complicated to prepare for your big opportunity, but it does require some
focused effort. It takes a willingness to invest the time to get clear on the
things you stand for as a leader in your own particular field. Whatever you
have to say, you can be sure that someone is waiting right now for your own
brand of expertise.
Why not
get started today?
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