Leadership Questioned?

I was recently challenged by the words of a well-respected co-worker who asked “what good is leadership?”  I have made changes in my life over the past 20 years to become a better leader, so I thought does he have the right to even ask such a question.

I follow those (Ken Blanchard, John Maxwell & others) that I feel are strong leaders and, those that I would like to most emulate.  I have never considered myself to be a good leader; I would consider myself to be a good follower.  I enjoy working in the background serving others because I am an introvert and I do not enjoy the Big Stage and bright lights.

I have been a Project Manager with Lord & Company for 16 years, so it is imperative that I improve my leadership skills as well as many other areas to be an effective Project Manager.  I also strive to be a more effective leader to my wife, family, church and friends.

Back to the original question; what good is leadership?  The more that I thought about the question; I was challenged to think about how influence is tied to leadership.  I came to the same conclusion that my co-worker (Gary Mintz) had come to; influence is more valuable than leadership.

Good leadership comes and goes but influence can change how we think and how we live our lives.  The greatest leader of all time has influenced my life and many others throughout the years.  He has challenged me on my thoughts, my heart and my purpose for living.  He influenced not only his twelve disciples but every generation since.

Influence can be good or bad, so make sure that you are influencing others around you in a positive manner.  We have so many venues available to us these days with Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, blogs and etc.  So what am I doing to influence others positively?

Leadership is important, but influence is more valuable.  Influence changes lives and behavior even after the individual leader is gone.  I leave you with this quotation in hopes that this short article influences you to become a positive influence on others each day.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.“

John Quincy Adams (1825-1829); 6th Us President

Tom Carico – PMP

Lord & Company, Inc.