I firmly believe that leadership is a skill that can be developed.

While there are personality traits that help (e.g. charisma), these are not an essential requirement of effective leadership.

Why isn’t everyone a leader?

If leadership is a skill that is available to anyone, why isn’t the world full of more leaders?

We are all leaders at some level – we just avoid stepping up and calling ourselves one.

If we were to admit we are a leader, we could no longer blame the world for our lack of progress, and we would have to take responsibility for our lives.

This means we would have to admit that we’ve made mistakes, that we don’t have all the answers, and that’s it’s up to ourselves to create the life we were meant to live.

But for must of us, it’s so much easier to stay a couch potato then it is to take ownership of life.

Do you realize that you are a leader?

If you’ve read this far, you probably have at least one of these signs that you are a leader.

You were a kid.

If at some point in your life, you were a child, then you are a leader.

Children are natural influencers.

It’s incredible how something that starts out so small and venerable, yet can survive and thrive within the world.

These small beings are able to disrupt and transform a household from a quiet place of tranquillity to a place of love and support.

You are a parent.

On the flip side, if you are a parent, then you are a leader.

Think about how your parents shaped your life.

Notice how their beliefs and values made an impact on you.

Regardless of your situation, your parents shaped who you are.

As a parent, your children will be influenced by how you walk your talk.

As a leader, there is no greater responsibility than being a good parent for your family.

You are in a relationship.

If you’ve ever been in a relationship, then you are a leader.

Think about the amount of determination, openness, and patience required to maintain an ongoing relationship.

It doesn’t matter if they are customers, good friends, or spouses.

Each relationship requires the ability to create a meaningful connection – an essential leadership trait.

You have a job.

If you’ve ever held a job, then you are a leader.

You had to convince someone to hire you and then continue to pay you each week.

Every job adds value to someone.

Your challenge is to figure out how to add the most value to the most people.

Once you figure this out, you’re well on your way.

You have a dream.

If you have a dream, then you are a leader.

Leaders dream of creating a better future.

A better future for their family, their teams, their company, and their community.

All leaders have a cause bigger than themselves.

What’s yours?

Summary

Leadership is not something that someone magically grants you.

It’s not a position or title.

We all start our journey with the simple desire to survive.

To find our place in the world and to somehow thrive.

Eventually, we move beyond ourselves and expand to include families, teams and culture.

It’s that moment of expansion, thinking beyond ourselves, that our inner leader emerges.

We all have an inner leader.

Are you ready to claim yours?