In the cool of the evening i was talking with a friend, God bless her, she's such a bright soul.The discussion started on the basis of a training and somehow we got into one of those honest talks about leadership,it wasn't the pretty or polished kind you read about in success stories necessary, but the real kind you feel in your bones, the kind that can be rewarding, yes, but also heavy.
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She told me there are days she feels like she’d rather step back and just be in the background, following someone else’s lead and being that faithful follower not because she isn’t capable, but because being in a leadership role can be overwhelming sometimes. People look at you as the good leader who should have all the answers, but some days the answers just don’t come, all the thinking is done by you, people expect that the solutions should definitely come from you,you can explain things over and over, yet some subordinates still won’t get it right and when things go wrong? It all falls back on your shoulders and you dare not choose not to deal with it.
The truth is, people often don’t see the behind the scenes of good leadership. They don’t see the sleepless nights, the quiet prayers, the moments you sit alone trying to make decisions that no one else wants to make. They see the results, but not the sacrifices.
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I told her something I strongly believe, if you’re in a position of leadership, you’re there for a reason. You’ve got leadership qualities that sets you apart and gives you the qualifications be a leader. You may not have it all figured out yet but you have what it takes to be an effective leader. Every leader is unique, with their own leadership style, some are loud and charismatic, some are quiet and steady but what matters most is that you show up and stay consistent.
Personally I've noted down three leadership traits that i feel every leader needs beginning with Humility, leaders should have an understanding that leadership is about serving, not controlling. A humble leader builds trust.And then there should also be clarity in vision, every leader should have a compass, always know where you’re going, and the most important part is the ability to make it clear so everyone else can see it too. The last is courage, what's leadership without courage,stepping forward even when you’re unsure, leaders aren't timid, they're bold about their steps.
If you can motivate people to dream bigger, learn more, and push themselves further, you’re already practicing effective leadership. And if you can do it in a way that inspires them without forcing them, you’re on your way to being a great leader.
In leadership character matters more than strategy. People might forget your exact words, but they will never forget how you made them feel. That’s why emotional intelligence is such a powerful skill for leaders. It’s not just about understanding tasks; it’s about understanding people and knowing when to push them, when to listen them, and when to simply be in a pause.
Of course, leadership isn’t all smooth sailing, there will be moments you fail, moments where your plan falls apart but those moments build your self awareness and may even present an opportunity for your team to learn. They learn from how you recover, how you own your mistakes, and how you keep moving forward.
I guarantee that at a point you’ll have to step into servant leadership putting others before yourself, making sure their needs are met so the whole team can thrive.I’ve learned that good leadership is less about having power and more about creating an environment where others can grow. It’s about building people, not just completing tasks. A leader’s real success isn’t measured in titles or money, it’s measured in the people who can say, “Because of you, I didn’t give up.” Leadership is making sure impact is made.
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Leadership isn’t about standing above people, it’s about standing with them. It’s guiding them through challenges, celebrating their wins, and helping them see the bigger picture. It’s having the vision to see what doesn’t yet exist and the heart to inspire others to build it with you.
So to anyone who feels like the weight of leadership is too much remember this; you’re in that position for a reason, you’re not just filling a role; you’re shaping lives, keep leading with humility, clarity, and courage. Keep learning, keep growing and never forget you are making a difference, even on the days it feels like you’re not.
Because in the end, leadership is not just about where you’re going it’s about who you’re taking with you.
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