On Being A Born Leader

"Leaders are born, not made." Right? Let me ask you a question: do you believe that?

I'll give you mine: I *don't* believe it.

AND HERE'S WHY...

Reason Number One: Look Around You

Look at the military, businesses, schools and other organizations. They are hiring people who they feel can make a difference. They say, in effect, "Join us. Listen to us. Practice what we teach... and we will help you to make a difference with us."

They look for - and find - difference makers.

Reason Number Two: Look At The People You Know -- I'll make you a bet.

I'll bet you know some folks who have *become* leaders - people who influence others and make a difference in the world - through the time honored principles I mentioned above: (1) good, hard study; and (2) applying what they have learned.

Reason Number Three: Take A Look At Me

Yep, you read that right. You may not know me very well, but I kinda think I do LOL!

And...

I'll tell you this. If you were one of those proverbial "flies on the wall" who was "there" throughout the various stages of my life, you would have noticed a few things.

I didn't act much like a born leader.

I didn't even look much like a born leader. (Yes, I know that's a perfect lead in for those of you who know me know. Keep those remarks to yourself for the time being!)

I didn't accomplish a lot of "born leader stuff."

But I *did* do this...

I took a good, hard look at certain types of people. You know them. The "big guys" and the "little guys" who stand out above crowd in terms of their impact.

I looked.

I learned.

I acted.

DID YOU GET THAT?

One more time.

I found the right people and then...

I looked.

I learned.

I acted.

HAVE YOU NOTICED?

Most folks don't think of themselves as a born leader.

Chances are *you* don't.

But...

You *can* become a person who positively impacts the lives of all kinds of people in all kinds of ways. And *that* is what I want you to hear. You can. You really can.

And if Josh Hinds can, YOU can.

CAUTION AHEAD

Remember, though...

Don't compare in a non-productive manner.

Don't expect too much too soon.

Don't expect a free ride with no obstacles.

But above all...

Don't sell yourself short.

Don't give up on your dreams.

Don't stop believing in your potential.

And don't quit looking, learning and taking consistent actions in the right direction.

Growing in leadership potential together,

Josh Hinds

(c) 2004

About The Author

Written by Josh Hinds of http://www.GetMotivation.com

Sign up for my ezine at http://www.GetMotivation.com/ezines.html

Josh is also the co-founder of http://www.AudioMotivation.com - which includes an abundance of self-improvement resources as well as exclusive audio interviews with leading experts in the areas of motivation and personal development.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Ten Characteristics of Leadership

Many people are interested in the characteristics of a great... Read More

The Death of Potential

... Read More

Ten Steps To Effective Leadership

Many people end up in a supervisory position or SOHO... Read More

The Incandescence Of The Human Spirit

There lives within every individual a power, an energy, an... Read More

Lead People...Manage Things

Master The Five Key Facets of High Performance LeadershipMany people... Read More

Elements of Timeless Leadership

Great leadership is timeless, always in vogue. The world has... Read More

Leadership Activity: How Leadership Agenda, Strategy, and Behaviors Shape Your Success!

"Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether... Read More

Are You a Good Manager or a Great Leader?

Your word is your truth - Know that when you... Read More

The Leadership Strategy: An Unmined Comstock Lode of Results

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill had a framed... Read More

Tough Times Demand Resilient Leaders

The stock market gyrates with unpredictable and heartburning results. Icons... Read More

A Leader?s Ultimate Goal ? Connect to Engage!

Connect and Engage! Your People Are Your Power.It's been said... Read More

From Failure To Victory; The Cats Out Of The Bag!

Did you ever think that all of the great heroes... Read More

Evil, Hostile Grumpy Listeners? Think Again

I hated Kyle Sisk*. A notorious bully, Kyle punctuated my... Read More

Stand Out as a Leader, Do 5 Things Better! Number One: Improve the Quality of Your Decision Making!

The manager administers, the leader improves; the manager maintains, the... Read More

It Begins Like This

Jonathan was drunk multiple times before ever completing elementary school;... Read More

Leaders ARE; Are you?

Identity CrisisIt's not only the knowledge you carry around in... Read More

Leadership For Deep Results: Without Them Are You Wasting Your Leadership And Your Life? (Part Two)

How does one go about getting deep results? There are... Read More

In Leadership, The Eight Ways Of Right Action (Part 1)

The ancient Greeks had a saying: "When Aschines speaks, the... Read More

Three Growth Guidelines from Stephen Covey

I have been looking for answers to what it takes... Read More

Is Your Life Ready For Groundhog Day?

In the hit comedic movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character,... Read More

Take the Road Less Traveled

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took... Read More

Top Skills Of Extraordinary Leaders

1. Good Communicator. Extraordinary Leaders are those who can take... Read More

Effective Leaders are (#1) Conceptual

SEE INTO THE FUTURE CREATIVELY AND PRACTICALITY: Planning day-to-day is... Read More

The Leader Within

Each and every one of you has hidden deep inside... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 7, Personal Attacks

Personal attacks hurt people, mar communication, and end creativity. If... Read More

The Code of the Conference Leader

Are your meetings generally a waste of time? Do you... Read More

Five Surprisingly Hip Politicial Ideas From Plato

Don't you love politics?Me, neither. But I do like thinking... Read More

Leadership: 9 Universal Laws

1. The Law of Authoritarian StyleAuthoritarian leaders lead by control... Read More

Why the Squirrel Kept Winning!

I had the good fortune (or misfortune depending on your... Read More

The Compassion Paradox

Effective leaders are comfortable with paradox. They can call on... Read More

What is Leadership?

Leadership is what every organization needs and so few have... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 3, Drifting From the Topic

Although new ideas lead to creative solutions, they can be... Read More

Professional Organizations: Join or Fold?

All of us join professional organizations for a reason--a friend... Read More