Social Leadership

...leadership doesn't start or end with a position, but everything you are.


Application of leadership principles can become so overwhelming as we read books, blogs and hear top leadership speakers give us their key insight.  Our influence and leadership can become very compartmentalized to a specific role or position that we have within an organization, family or group of people.  We desire these principles to be applied to that position and it becomes very difficult to separate our role from the rest of our life.

I propose to you that while many only think to be leaders in their specific role, true leaders allow their leadership to impact all areas of their life.  Let's take a look at sports because that is what I know best.  There have been Pro Football Quarterbacks that have to be leaders on the field and have done a great job with that role.  They apply all that they know to that role and do what they can to influence their teammates to play better. This elevates that entire team.

A few of these quarterbacks have left practice and the game to go out with buddies and make bad decisions.  Some of been pulled over for a DUI and yet others have done even worse with harm to others.  Their leadership was only compartmentalized to their role and not all areas of their life.  I can think of several that lost their influence as quarterback because they weren't leaders socially and in other areas of life.

If we want to influence and to be leaders that impact the world around us, we must realize that we need to have standards and be leaders in all areas.  This can be a very big responsibility but when we become leaders in all areas, our influence becomes even greater.  Leadership doesn't start or end with a certain role or position, it should be in everything you are.

I challenge you to see all areas of your life as opportunities to influence others.  Your decisions not only impact you but all those around you and all areas of your life.  Be the one that sets the pace!

Ryan