Many believe that there must be a title when it comes to demonstrating leadership skills. However, this could not be further from the truth. In no way, shape or form, does a title make someone a leader. A leader is someone who demonstrates actions that inspire, empower and serve others to help raise them up. Those people who constantly demonstrate these admirable qualities do not wait around to receive a title. The title has very little to nothing to do with the leadership skills at all in fact. There are numerous ways for a person to show off their leadership skills before ever even receiving an appropriate title.
Actively helping others that you work with on a daily basis is an excellent example of someone showing their leadership skills. It’s never enjoyable to work with someone who is constantly thinking only of themselves and not worried about others. Having the ambition and drive to go beyond the call of duty to serve others in your workplace shows that you are a true leader. Passing along the knowledge and skills that you have to another is admirable and can inspire others to do the same.
Sometimes all a person needs is someone to hear them out and listen. Those that demonstrate leadership skills do not just hear, but they open their ears and listen to what it is the person is they are saying. True listening takes place in the mind and understands what it is the person is saying to you. Simply listening and not speaking out and cutting the person off while they are talking is all part of being an elite listener. Taking the time to listen not only helps the person you’re listening to, but you may have the opportunity to truly learn something as well.
One of the true signs of a leader is having a proactive attitude. Anyone with leadership skills never sits back and waits to be told what needs to be done. Instead, they are proactive by identifying the problem at hand and figure out a resolution themselves. This may be very difficult for some who have a more reserved personality, however, it is an area that everyone can work harder on to improve.
Just keep in mind that you don’t need the word manager, executive, or CEO following your name in order to be a true leader. If you are actively helping and listening to others with a positive attitude, you too can be considered a leader.