Leadership Starts with Self

“There are classes of intellect: one which comprehends itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the show of others; the first is excellent, the second is good, and the third is useless.

Niccolò Machiavelli, “The Prince”

In a world where leadership is often associated with authority and power, we too often unconsciously overlook a fundamental truth – that true leadership starts from within. Yes, leadership is not out there— it’s in you. It’s not an exclusive title we only give to a myriad of others we deem more admirable, popular, or to bosses, supervisors at work or even loved ones we deeply respect.

Technology and industry have created opportunities for leaders from all walks of life to be recognized, ushering in broader perspectives of what it entails to be a leader in just the past decade alone.

If simply put, a leader is one who guides and shows the way, then leadership isn't just about guiding others; it's also about guiding oneself first. It's about self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-improvement. And sometimes with the challenges of life and interpersonal relationships, you won’t feel like much of a leader at all!

Contrary to common belief, one doesn’t have to have a ton of followers to lead and do so effectively. You can lead your own life according to specific principles and values. Your family life, workplace, and community of friends, neighbors, can all benefit from your approach to self-leadership. In fact, you are on your way to being a leader when your life and actions have a positive effect on those around you. The main constant in this journey is making as much conscious effort as possible and then making that a lifelong commitment; that means there’s really no need to put good leaders on pedestals because we will all fall short in some way.

In today's fast-paced world, leaders are faced with countless challenges – from managing the people and expectations in our lives to making critical decisions. But amidst these challenges, we must never forget to cultivate our inner leadership.

So, what does it mean for leadership to start with self? Leadership starting with the self means understanding who you are, your values, your strengths, and your weaknesses. It means leading by example and being the person, you want others to be for the benefit of all.

Leaders who prioritize their own growth and development inspire those around them to do the same. They lead not just through words, but through their actions, even when they may not be commonplace. The advice: speak up even when your voice shakes might help to paint the picture

Indeed, self-awareness is a cornerstone of effective leadership. It allows leaders to recognize their emotions, lean in on their strengths without apology, better understand their impact on others, and helps them make even more impactful decisions now and in the future.

Studies have shown that leaders who are self-aware are generally more empathetic, adaptable, and resilient – essential qualities in today's dynamic world.

Additionally, self-awareness also helps in another understated and highly important area: character. It’s no secret good leaders strive to attain high standards of conduct, being self-aware facilitates the ability to interact, connect and inspire others even in the most challenging situations. According to leadership experts, character is a conscious choice, more than talk, because anyone can claim to have integrity, but self-awareness ultimately informs and helps hone our characters.

But remember, leadership isn't about having all the answers or being perfect, whatever that means. Rather, it's about asking the right questions, being open to feedback, learning from experiences, and constantly striving to grow.

Are you conscious of the way you act when no one’s watching? How do you challenge yourself to do the right thing often? How can you turn opportunities to complain into solutions vast and small? If, as we have covered, good leaders are action-oriented, more than willing to roll up their sleeves and take any initiative to which they have committed to new heights, then you too can be that leader.

As we journey through our leadership capabilities, let us never forget that the most profound impact we can make starts with ourselves. By cultivating our inner leadership, we not only become better leaders but also inspire those around us to reach greater heights.

It means separating ourselves from the notion that leadership is only found in other people or that it doesn’t really matter if it’s not on grandiose scales. Leadership is a mindset everyone can develop. Mentors are great but each one of us must never lose touch with our own inner fortitude.

That means the qualities you are seeking in others whom you currently perceive to be great leaders, you can also cultivate within. You can initiate the actions you are eager for other leaders to take.

Leadership can become a way of life, and why not? Every leader begins with leading their own life. They have a vision for their lives and how it fits into the larger society and vice versa.

We can take advantage of opportunities to lead, and there are many. How and if we recognize them depends on – you guess it - us. Explore your background and experiences. Are there unique perspectives you can add to collective consciousness as a leader? You have spheres of influence. How have you tapped into or galvanized them?

So, yes, we can lead, how should we do it? Well, in all the ways that maximize our abilities and advance our society and human consciousness. Since leadership is more than a title, it’s what we do with it that counts. One can hardly call themselves a leader if nothing in their environment changes.

Observe your environment to decipher what type of leadership style would be advantageous. Be adaptable and engage in the dance of adopting leadership styles that could work in one situation and another that would be more effective in a different scenario.

There is a plethora of best practices to glean from and tools to leverage. Take advantage of them with an eye toward how they can help advance the core objectives of the initiatives you care about the most. Focus on the positive consequences you are striving to attain and stoically work through the challenges that arise.

Remember, as hard as it can be at times, we don’t always have to agree 100 percent with others’ approaches, perspectives and vice versa to be able to collaborate with them. Nor do we negate all the positive aspects and outcomes of their leadership approach or personality type by focusing solely on what we don’t agree with.

There’s dignity in your quest to improve, to lead that should also inform self-perception beyond lip service and reflect in not just how we lead but also how we perceive ourselves in the process (there’s more to come on this in a future post).

In the meantime, embrace the wise saying that no matter how long you live you will never know it all. Let that be your challenge to keep learning and growing. Learn from your experiences, learn from the mistakes of others, and learn from your peers and good forebears. Focus on your commonality with other would-be leaders instead of differences. Embrace the role that you have too liberally bestowed on others – being a veritable leader. Because in the end, true leadership isn't about the position or title we hold – it's about the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind.