Develop Your Own Leadership Style

“The result of leadership is a group of people working toward a common goal because they want to, not because they have to.”

This is only one quote on leadership among hundreds, or more likely, thousands. There is probably no other concept in business that’s gotten as much attention as leadership. But what is it? Most of us think we know it when we see it, but it shows up in so many diverse situations and in so many different styles that it’s difficult to give it a succinct, one-size-fits-all definition.

My trusty dictionary defines leadership this way:
the position or function of a leader
the ability to lead
an act or instance of leading
the leaders of a group

Not really very helpful, is it?

I think the quote at the top is correct in terms of an outcome of leadership. The outcome has to be to give people the confidence and desire to work together toward a specific goal. But what does it look like in action? As it turns out, it has hundreds and thousands and millions of looks. That’s why it defies definition.

I believe true leadership means being authentic, being yourself. You can’t fake it. You can’t imitate someone else’s leadership style. You develop a style of leadership that reflects who you are . . . your personality, your values, your way of communicating. Great leaders come in all sorts of packages. Some are quiet and thoughtful, some are brash and commanding, some are humble, some are arrogant. They all can work. So don’t try to fit into somebody else’s package. Work on developing your own.

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