Leadership is not nothing

Have you ever heard someone speak on the subject of leadership and they give you their philosophy in a sentence or soundbite? Leadership is not simply a soundbite, quote or a skill; it is EVERYTHING to those you lead. A search of the internet for quotes will result in more responses than you can imagine. From philosophers to politicians and authors, many have offered advice on that others have memorialized as the key to what the term means.

Leadership Quotes

Soundbites and quotes are intended to gain attention, inspire and help define our ideas of what we want to be or remind us to stay on the paths similar to those of other great leaders. Leadership in and of itself requires that we create our own vision for ourselves {“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world.” – Malcolm Gladwell} and for those we lead {“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” –Warren G. Bennis}, creating an environment in which other are willing to pursue that vision {Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. – John F. Kennedy} and have faith that you are there with them and for them as they pursue and grow that vision {“A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them.”–M. D. Arnold}

Every leader has at least one quote that helps them to stay their path. I challenge you to identify four primary components of what you believe is your leadership strategy and develop a series of  quotes that bring together those soundbites into a real philosophy.

My Leader Recipe

• A never-wavering ethical core of caring
• Being visionary
• Empowering and supporting others
• Creating a legacy of future leaders

Leadership is a myriad of abstract particles that when amassed internally, provide a unique ability to create a vision based on sound character values that transfers outward to inspire others to grasp the potential and pursue that vision. The combustion of colliding particles of support from the leader empowers them with strength and confidence to visualize and achieve greater results themselves. Leadership energy is infectious and in the end, creates a legacy that is much more than a soundbite.