What does Leadership mean to you?

Leadership. What does it mean to you? What makes a great leader? What would your definition of an inspiring leader be?

At a recent meeting, I attended this topic came up. It was interesting that the majority of people thought leadership could be taught.

When I put the same question to my colleagues I received some really interesting answers:

“People get leader and manager mixed up or think they are the same, but I think a leader is somebody who:

1) Has a vision

2) Gets others to see that vision

3) Can build the belief that things can be done differently/better

4) Can spot opportunities that others can’t see

5) Can build a team and help that team rally around a cause

A manager is a person that enables a leader to deliver the vision.”

“A leader is someone who supports and encourages – who gives direction, sets goals and acknowledges achievements as well as identifies shortcomings. A leader is someone you can look up to and be proud to follow – whose accomplishments are inspiring and of interest to the group asked to follow them.”

“Leadership is the ability to lead and guide a team, motivating and inspiring individuals to get them to where they need to be.”

As a company Ocean Edge seems to have the same definition of leadership amongst our employees. Successful leaders are not always born with the qualities needed to lead, however, if you truly want to make an impact and have the courage to lead you can!

You do see a lot of articles that list out what a good leader needs to be. We think every leader is different and unique and cannot be defined to 10 bullet points. Someone who is a leader and inspires one person may not inspire another.

Every day is your chance to direct your career in where you want to go and inspire people along the way.

Great things never come from comfort zones, so push yourself, challenge yourself and with a bit of luck you should reap the rewards.