What Does It Truly Mean to Be in Leadership?
I speak with people after my keynotes about what it means to be in leadership and feel like I want to share this important distinction. I feel like sometimes we hear the word leadership, and many of us picture CEOs, politicians, or people with impressive titles and decades of experience. But leadership is not about a title. It’s not about income, tenure, or how many people report to us. Leadership, at its core, is about one thing: influence.
My definition of leadership is simple: Leader: anyone who influences someone. That means parents, teachers, employees, entrepreneurs, and even friends—all of us have the capacity to lead. Whether we realize it or not, we are already influencing others. The real question is: Are we being intentional about the influence we have?
Stepping Into Leadership—Regardless of Title
Too often, people wait for permission to lead. They believe they need more experience, a bigger salary, or a certain level of recognition before they can make an impact. But leadership is not about waiting—it’s about stepping up. We don’t need a title to lead; we need the commitment to serve, inspire, and guide others.
How Can We Lead Today?
Own Our Influence: Recognize that our words and actions impact those around us, whether at work, at home, or in our community (check out this infographic of words to delete).
Be The Model, Not a Messenger: People don’t follow what we say—they follow what we do. Embody the values and behaviors we want to see in others.
Make Others Better: Great leaders don’t hoard knowledge or power. They lift others up, creating the environment where people can grow and thrive.
Lead with Purpose: Leadership isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about making differences. When our leadership is tied to purpose bigger than ourself, people will follow naturally.
Experience vs. Experiences: A Critical Distinction for Leaders
Many people believe that leadership comes with experience—years in a role, accumulated knowledge, or an extensive resume. While experience is valuable, it’s not what I have found that makes the best leaders. What truly shapes the leader is experiences—the moments that challenge, teach, and transform us.
Why Does This Distinction Matter?
Experience is about time served; experiences are about lessons learned. We can have 20 years of experience but only one year of real growth repeated 20 times. True leaders seek diverse experiences that stretch their thinking and expand their capabilities.
Experiences build adaptability. Leaders who expose themselves to different environments, cultures, and challenges become more resilient and innovative.
Experiences foster empathy. When we put ourself in new or uncomfortable situations, we develop this deeper understanding of others, which are crucial skills for any leader.
The Path to Becoming The Leader
It’s one thing to be a leader. It’s another to be the leader—the one people trust, respect, and willingly follow. The difference? The leader is not simply someone with influence, they are someone who uses that influence intentionally and effectively.
To become the leader:
Develop self-awareness. Know our strengths, weaknesses, and the impact of our actions.
Stay committed to growth. Seek out new experiences, challenge our assumptions, and learn continuously.
Serve others first. The best leaders are not in it for themselves—we prioritize the success and well-being of our teams, families, and communities.
Final Thought
Leadership is not reserved for the select few. It’s the responsibility and opportunity available to all of us. Whether we are leading the company, the team, or simply leading by example in our daily life, remember: We are THE leader because we influence others. The question is, how will we use that influence?