What is your position in your organization? Do you even have a position at all? Do you feel your voice can’t be heard because you are an assistant or you aren’t even holding any portfolio?
Because you aren’t the president or number one individual in your organization, association, or company, so you think you can’t lead, right?
<“The key to succeeding is to learn to deal with the tension of whatever position you are in, overcome its obstacles, and make the most of its advantages and opportunities.” -John. C. Maxwell
For instance, in a student association or organization, we have the following portfolios: President, Vice-president, General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Welfare Secretary, Public Relation Officer, Financial Secretary, Social Secretary, Sports Secretary, Senate President, Deputy Senate President and other Student association portfolio.
Constitutionally, The Executive president is the number one person and he gives the final verdict. But have you seen a vice-president or an assistant general secretary of the association being appreciated and applauded than the President? Have you seen a Sports Secretary or Social Secretary winning the award for the best executive of the year?
Yes, I have seen many and that is what is called 360-degree leaders.
I know of an Assistant General Secretary of a student association that really worked hard, projected the image of her association into the lime light and was the best in her cabinet which later prompted the students of the institution and even are co-executive to vote her as the best executive and student leader of the year.
All this was achieved just because she was committed and dedicated to serving her association without any personal interest but for the association and whole student interest at large even though she was just an assistant general secretary as people will say it.
Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, and were not the president or number one individual in their country. Yet, these leaders changed the course of history. Their leadership was defined by the impact they had on the lives of others. The lives of these leaders were not defined by their position. Leadership then is about what you do, not where you’re seated.
<“Good leaders rarely think in terms of boundaries; instead, they think in terms of opportunities.” -John. C. Maxwell.
Why then can’t you lead from anywhere in your organization even if you are the least recognized individual?
Being the number one citizen of an organization is often confused with being the most influential and best leader. No. Great leaders are known for their achievements and influence in the organization.
Being the president or CEO won’t make you the best in your organization, it only provides you with the potential to lead. You don’t suddenly become a leader just because you are the one always giving the final verdict. The best leaders are teachers, mentors, and role models and they accomplish the vast majority of their work through influence.Every day you can find examples of the so-called president, chairman or CEO fail to demonstrate leadership.
<“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means" - Albert Einstein
Leadership happens when people allow you to influence their lives. Real leaders don’t need to be the number one to make a difference.It’s only when your influence causes people to work towards a shared vision that you become a leader. Leadership is more about influence and relationship than it is about control and giving orders. The hallmark of effective leadership is the influence you have on the lives of others.
Here are some of the ways you can lead from anywhere in your organization:
- Developing others: consistently looking for opportunities to invest in the growth of others.
- Making it easier for others to get things done
- Serving your team: Make your leadership a vehicle for service, not a vehicle for a promotion.
- Taking responsibilities: be the one who takes responsibility. Step up and take ownership of problems. Find resolutions. Blame and complain less. Work more.
- Focusing on helping others succeed.
AYODELE TEMITOPE JEREMIAH