What Makes a Leader?

Do you have what it takes to be a leader?

Leadership is an investment.

Making the decision to be a leader will cost you something.

As with any decision you make in life, you’ve got to invest your energy, time, and mental resources to be successful.

When you are a leader, you have to give.

Leaders invest in others. The very best leaders give because they want to see growth and development in those they lead. They build strong cultures, and spend time investing in the things that matter.

I invested in time with Tony Jeary, a top leadership coach to CEOs and entrepreneurs. Sometimes you have to meet with people who can see your blind spots, and help tweak your business and your strategy to be even better than it is now. This takes a willingness to receive feedback, both positive and negative. It’s all a part of becoming a better human in the process.

Are you ready to make the investment?

Leadership is intentional.

When you think about the advantages of having a great culture, you have to realize that you’ll either have a good one or a bad one. There really is no in between.

Employees don’t appreciate working in an environment that isn’t supportive or empowering. And mediocre cultures don’t allow people to be the best they can be. In a stagnant environment, employees do one of two things. Complain, or leave. If they complain they cost you money. If they leave, the training to replace them, costs you money.

If they complain and don’t leave then it is even worse. Have you ever talked to someone who blasted their boss and the company they work for?

Leadership pays.

And you have to really be intentional to be a great leader.

Leadership is a decision.

Seth Godin said that you don’t have to have charisma to be a leader, because leadership gives you charisma.

I’d take that even a step further, to say that if you want to possess a lot of great personality traits that will make your overall life better – strive to be a good leader. Because if you’re strong, caring, concerned about others, and willing to help people grow- you’re going to be a great friend, husband, father, and boss. If you have integrity and the things you do in your personal life are the same as the things you do at work, your whole life will feel more balanced and comfortable.

Leadership is a decision.

What is your definition of a leader?  Please share your thoughts and ideas on my Facebook page.

Line of Sight Coaching

Dr. Joel Small and Dr. Edwin McDonald, the founders of Line of Sight Coaching, are dental practitioners, authors, speakers and Business Leadership Coaches who work with healthcare professionals to help them build more successful practices so they can live the balanced life they seek.