The leader within

Do you want to develop your leadership skills in the workplace, in your community or at home? These eight steps will help you to develop the leader within.

- Jessica Lee

When you think about leadership, managers and CEOs might come to mind first. But what exactly is a leader? In her book, Dare to Lead, Brené Brown defines a leader as "anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential". Simon Sinek, in his book Leaders Eat Last, says, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." 

You don't need a title to lead. Leadership is about the relationships you're in and your desire to support people and ideas. Chances are, you might be in a leadership position, either in your team at work, in your community and in your family, especially if you're a parent.

People-first leadership 

Standout leaders are those who put people first. Sinek says, "The true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own. Great leaders truly care about those they are privileged to lead and understand that the true cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of self-interest."

Influential leaders are those who foster trust, empathy, connection and collaboration while also staying humble, open and willing to be vulnerable. They are self-aware and emotionally intelligent, and have great people and communication skills. Great leaders understand others because they have done the work to understand themselves. As Brown says, "Who we are is how we lead." 

Building self-awareness