How to Define Leadership

There are many definitions for the meaning of leadership and a never-ending supply of articles relating to leadership (this one included). In fact, if you Google the word leadership, you will get more than 5,750,000,000 results. I'm going to make it simple for you to recognize leadership attributes.

One of our core values at Wildside Institute is Leadership: We strive to support, guide and inspire others to be their absolute best. In a nutshell, that's how I like to define a good leader. One who supports, guides and inspires others is at the very foundation of leadership.

Is that something that you practice every day? Even if you aren't in a leadership role within your company, you can demonstrate these leadership qualities. If it's in your nature, or whether you work to build these skills, you can support, guide and inspire others in every aspect of your life.

Our 6th President, John Quincy Adams, said “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” 

These are succinct indicators of leadership. What I interpret from President Adams' quote is that you are a leader if your actions inspire others to: 

• "dream more" -- remove all barriers 
• "learn more" -- be a life-long learner
• "do more" -- take action
• "and become more" -- continuously build yourself into something better

Being a leader isn't about you. It's about others. If you practice that, and you're well on your way to becoming a great leader.

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