Leadership Compass

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
John Quincy Adams

Are you a leader?

Our country, our businesses, our families are anxiously looking for leaders and guidance they can believe in. They are looking for you.

Whether you choose to be a leader or not, you are. Silent leadership is accomplished thru observation. Acquaintances, friends, loved ones, co-workers … they watch you without either of you being consciously aware. Your actions speak louder than your words .

Your leadership may be recognized immediately or it may take years. But someone, someday, will be going through a life changing experience and look back through their life history to intuitively find someone who’s life experiences and way of going impacted their life and memories. You have most likely done the same.

Whether it was how your role model ran an ethical business, dealt with an illness, a job change, a move, loss of a spouse or job, you remember. You will either decide to follow their path or choose to forge a new trail. But you will remember.  You, my friend, are that silent leader.

I was recently re-reading Leadership Secrets by Eric Yaverbaum and the following leadership values jumped off the page. Not because they are anything new, but because I noticed the 60 CEOs cited in this book were not from the corporations who have led our downward spiral. No CEO from AIG, Bank of America, Lehman, or CitiGroup. I think that speaks volumes about the state of our country today.

• “Lead by example.” Bruce Coleman
• “Convey a compelling vision.” Daniel Rose
• “Values are the foundation of all great leaders.” Gary Costley
• “Make good simple, honest and ethical decisions.” William Goodwin, Jr.
• “Simplify your business plan until it fits on one sheet of paper.” Lloyd “Buzz” Waterhouse

What do you consider to be leadership qualities you’d like to see in others? Which do you see in yourself?