Leadership, Vision, Purpose, and the Impact they have on both ourselves and others.
Which people, or even more specifically, which characteristics come to mind when you think of the word Leadership? We all have different perspectives of what makes a great leader, and if we were to list names, there would be many types of people on those lists. Some lists would likely have similarities, and some may not.
However, I believe that even though there would be different names on each list, the people those names represent would all have some commonalities within the characteristics they exhibit. There have been thousands of books written on leadership.
According to an Amazon search, over 57,000 titles with the word leadership in them. That’s a lot of research, opinions, conjecture, and maybe even a few facts to digest. Since the topic has been
covered in great detail elsewhere, I won’t attempt to summarize my version or perspective of leadership. I will mention a few characteristics that I believe transcend across most, if not all, great leaders.
For me, I think of characteristics such as clear vision and purpose, and the ability to communicate those with others. The passion they have that is driven by this purpose is able to permeate their peers or the team they lead, and motivation to achieve the desired goals becomes almost contagious.
“Leadership is influence.” – John Maxwell.
Speaking of books on leadership…my favorite author on the subject matter is John C. Maxwell. He has written over 50 books on leadership and is widely considered a leading expert, and is often hired as a keynote speaker to expound on the topic at conferences or corporate gatherings.
I have personally read several of his books on leadership, and have heard him speak on multiple occasions, so I’m sure that my insights are shaped significantly through his particular lens.
Since I hope to add more value to you during the time you spend reading this article, my plan isn’t to simply regurgitate information, but to give you a way to look at leadership from possibly a slightly different angle. Potentially even allowing you to evaluate your own leadership ability, and the inevitable
impact that it could have on others within your sphere of influence.
I’ve studied leadership by studying leaders and asking questions. That’s not a novel idea or methodology I know, but I wanted to share a few of the questions I like to ask. Hopefully along the way, these will get the wheels turning in your mind a little, and spur you on to discovering more of the leader within you, as I believe they have for me.
- What can we do to become better leaders?
- What can we learn from great leaders?
- What drives people to develop their leadership ability?
I think that each of these questions can provide valuable insight for us as we understand and develop our own strengths and weaknesses with regards to leadership. It is of great value to understand what we are naturally gifted with, and also where we may have some shortfalls that need to be strengthened.
Learning from great leaders is a surefire way to reveal some glaring weaknesses I’ve found. Self evaluation is key to improvement however, so don’t let the gaps in your leadership ability be a deterrent for you. The last question above is important though.
Being a leader can be challenging, if not downright hard.
So make no mistake, understanding what drives others, and more specifically, what drives you to put in the work and develop those stubborn leadership weaknesses, is highly important.
We need to understand what drives us on a deeply intuitive level. So much so, that it is ingrained within us, and becomes part of who we are to our core. Otherwise, when things get a little tough, we’ll just throw in the towel, and let others do the hard things, while we settle for something safer, easier, and mediocre.
In the sub-headline I mentioned Vision and Purpose. I reference those because they are both interconnected with someone’s leadership. Over my 46 years of life, I’ve asked many great leaders the following questions.
What is the purpose behind their leadership and what vision guides their purpose?
Rather than dive into the purpose and vision of others, I ask you the same thing… What is the purpose behind, and the vision guiding Your leadership?
Identifying your purpose and vision can provide the necessary understanding and drive to overcome inevitable challenges your leadership growth will encounter. The process of becoming a leader can be lonely at times, not unlike the entrepreneurial journey as you build a business or multiple businesses.
There will be people in your life that challenge your leadership, just as there are those who will question your business acumen. At times, we will likely question our own abilities, whether that be to lead anyone at all, or to become a successful business owner. These are precisely the times we all need to be able to reflect and tap into our own purpose and vision for why we do whatever it takes.
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I believe there is a leader within all of us.
With that in mind, I want to propose a final question to you.
What Impact does a great leader have on people who are influenced by them?
I titled this article The Leading Impact, because I believe that true leadership has an amazing impact on others. In business, great leadership can provide jobs, income, wealth, stability, and financial freedom.
In life, great leadership can inspire change, it can be a catalyst to impact generations of humanity through the ripple effects of influence on lives around these great leaders. It can ignite a flame of passion to be a greater person today than yesterday, and in turn, that flame can spread to others who then take up the mantle of leadership, and continue the chain reaction of impacting lives.
I submit to you that it doesn’t matter whether you only learn to lead yourself well, and never esteem to lead a team of change agents. Your leadership matters, and you can have a huge impact on just a few, or possibly even on generations of people.
Regardless, all of this would be possible because you made a decision to clearly define your Purpose, cast Vision for your life, and become the Leader you were created to be.
Much love on your journey!
[TAG4]The post The Power of Influence: Transforming Lives Through Leadership appeared first on DigitalMarketer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can entrepreneurs motivate their employees.
Motivation can come from anywhere. It doesn’t matter where the motivation comes from. Just make sure they are motivated to act. Motivation is vital for any business.
A motivated employee is more likely to be productive and happy. For a team that performs well, provide them with the tools they need to feel empowered.
They must feel valued. You need to create a place where they feel safe and respected. They can share their ideas freely without fear of being punished.
It is important to create a culture within your company that encourages employees to flourish and be successful. It's how to keep your best employees happy, loyal, and productive.
You need to recognize the behaviors that make you successful in order to maintain a culture. This could include giving bonuses for reaching goals, offering training opportunities and providing perks, such as health insurance.
It is important to communicate clearly and provide direction. Ensure everyone knows what's expected of them and why.
You must ensure that policies and procedures are clearly written and communicated. You should ensure that they are observed by someone.
Communication is key. Keep your team up to date about what's happening within the company. Let them know about the latest developments and plans.
Communication is vital. Looking after your team is the best way for you to stay ahead of the game. They will take care you.
A bad relationship with employees could lead to big problems. Studies show that companies with high levels of employee engagement enjoy higher productivity and profitability than those who struggle to retain their top performers.
It is important to realize that not all employees want to work at the same speed. Some prefer working independently, while others like to collaborate. Each person can be motivated in different ways, so it is up to you which one works for you.
For example, some may respond better to incentives, while others might appreciate the recognition. Whatever you find works best for you, make sure it's in alignment with the company’s goals.
The leader is ultimately responsible for setting the tone. Be open-minded. Listen to your team. Remember, you have to do it yourself if you want it done correctly.
What keeps you motivated as an entrepreneur?
Freedom to pursue my goals is my biggest motivator. The world we live in has limits on what people can save, earn, invest, buy and consume. We are not subject to these limitations. We are free to chase our dreams and make those dreams come true.
We can't allow ourselves to be slaves to these limitations. If we do, we lose sight of the fact that we are the masters of our destiny. We are the captains of our ships. We are the architects and creators of our lives.
I am motivated by the desire to create wealth beyond all my wildest fantasies. To create businesses that surpass the limits of human potential. To create businesses that can change the way people live their lives forever.
To create more powerful businesses than any government, more influential than any religion, and more enduring than time itself.
That's why you're here. I want to help entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses faster than anyone else. Because everyone wins when you succeed.
How to Motivate Yourself as an Entrepreneur?
It is important to find someone who motivates you to do the things that you want to do. Ask someone who is working hard to achieve his goals how he did it.
Ask for advice, listen and learn, but most importantly, be sure to follow the advice. You can emulate someone who has succeeded if you find them.
Be the person you want to be. Learn from them. Take their advice. Follow their example.
Keep pushing forward. Keep moving. Never stop learning. Never give up.
Don't let anyone tell your that you aren’t capable. Don't listen to anyone who tells you there is no path.
Even though you may fail, that doesn't make it any less valuable. Failure is an opportunity for growth. To learn more. To push harder.
Failure is just another step in the journey to success.
Let's get started! Start today to move closer towards your dreams.
You don't have to wait!
What are 6 essential questions that entrepreneurs must ask to be motivated?
Motivation is the foundation of any business. You won't get out of bed each morning if you don't have motivation. Without motivation, it'll be hard to finish your projects. You can't reach your goals without motivation. How can we find our motivation?
It is possible to ask yourself: "What motivates me?" It may surprise you. You might have been asking the same question for many years. If you haven't asked yourself this question, you're missing out on one of life's greatest rewards--the opportunity to discover your motivation.
Discovering why you are there is the best motivation. You will then realize what drives yourself. Your purpose becomes clearer. What are you passionate about? When you figure that out, you'll find it much easier to stay motivated.
To find your motivation, you must look within. These are your questions:
- What am I passionate about?
- What makes my heart beat so fast?
- What is it that lights me up?
- What gives me butterflies inside my stomach?
- What makes me feel alive?
- What keeps you coming back to your projects again and again?
Once you know the answers to your questions, you will be able identify your true motivations.
Your motivation will help you get through those tough times. It will provide you with strength when you are most in need. It will make you work harder. You will be motivated to achieve your goals.
If you're anything like me, you will never stop searching for your motivation.
Spend some time today reflecting on your motivations. You just might be surprised at what you find.
Why is motivation important to an entrepreneur?
Motivation is what drives us forward when things seem difficult or hopeless. It helps us face our fears and make difficult decisions.
Motivation is also key to success. When we lack motivation, we become lazy, unmotivated, unproductive, and ultimately unsuccessful.
Motivation is the key to unlocking potential. This means that you need to find ways to keep motivated throughout the day.
You can think of it as a muscle. It becomes stronger the more you exercise it. It starts to weaken and atrophy if it isn’t exercised.
Self-motivated entrepreneurs are the best. They set goals and plan the steps to reach them.
There are times when you need to be motivated. These are three simple steps that will help you stay motivated.
Step 1) Get inspired. Find someone who inspires and motivates you. Someone who is already achieving what you'd like to accomplish.
Step 2. Set small goals. Step 2) Set small goals. Instead of focusing on the final result, focus on the next steps. You can reach big goals quicker by breaking them into smaller pieces.
Step 3: Reward your self. If you have achieved your goals, give yourself rewards. It doesn't have be something tangible, it could just be time spent doing something you enjoy.
Remember that motivation is a choice. Choose to be happy and to succeed, and to live an abundant life.
You can make a difference in your life today. First, decide to make a change. Next, you must take action. Now is the time to live your dreams.
What motivates entrepreneurs?
We are motivated by passion. However, our passion drives us to do meaningful work that makes a positive difference. To make a positive difference in the lives of our loved ones and ourselves.
To give back. To help others. To leave a legacy.
Most importantly, we love doing this. Because we feel compelled to live life fully and experience success in ways that matter.
We are motivated by a sense if purpose and mission that cannot be achieved through money alone.
The key here is to find a way to combine business with pleasure. Entrepreneurship can be more than a career; it's a lifestyle.
Because of this, I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed. My goal is to help them achieve financial freedom, and leave a lasting impression on the world.
It's the only way to create value. I am living proof of this. The sharing of your knowledge and expertise to the rest.
It's more than enough to make a product or service great. You must first understand what drives your customers, and what they need. They want what they need.
If you do, you'll always know how to improve your offering. You will provide more value.
And if you provide more value, you will gain more customers. You will also sell more products and more services if you have more customers. You will also generate more revenue if you sell more services and products. And if you generate more revenue, you will eventually become financially independent.
Money is not everything. It's a means to an ends. Not the end in itself.
So, if you truly want to live a rich life, you cannot focus only on money. Making a positive contribution is what you must do. Contributing. Be a part of a legacy. Making something of value. It's something that is unique. Something that adds meaning to your life and the lives of other people.
Entrepreneurship requires risk-taking. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to follow certain rules. Flexible means being open to change. Adapting. Adjusting. Improving.
You won't fail if you are true to yourself, your values and your integrity.
Entrepreneurship should be considered a calling. A vocation. You have the chance to contribute. To create wealth. To influence history.
If you embrace these things, you'll be the best you.
You will be unstoppable.
Statistics
- “If you look to lead, invest at least 40% of your time managing yourself – your ethics, character, principles, purpose, motivation, and conduct. (americanexpress.com)
- Invest at least 30% managing those with authority over you and 15% managing your peers.” (americanexpress.com)
- According to analysts, Johnson has high appeal in all four quadrants tracked at the multiplex: male, female, over-25 and under-25. (forbes.com)
- “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” (oberlo.com)
- I shifted my motivational point from something huge (and undefined) to improve by just 1% each day. (carolroth.com)
External Links
entrepreneur.com
inc.com
oberlo.com
kabbage.com
How To
What are 3 things that motivate entrepreneurs?
Motivation is an important element for any entrepreneur. There is no motivation without it. But what motivates us?
There are three main reasons why we stay motivated:
- We love our business
- Our vision/mission transcends ourselves
- We love to help others.
Find ways to tap these motivations to stay motivated. We feel great pride and satisfaction when our business succeeds. We feel happier knowing we are making an impact in the world when we have a clear vision. We feel fulfilled when we feel a strong desire for helping others.
In fact, according to a study conducted by Dr. John Cacioppo, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, the most effective way to motivate yourself is to focus on what you care about. In his book "Loneliness", Dr. John Cacioppo stated that "the best source to motivate yourself is to care about something." It's a way to be more engaged and energetic. This makes sense because if we care about something, then we will be more passionate to do it.
