Take a moment to think. Who comes to mind when we say the word LEADER…
Who are you thinking of? A Business Leader? A Military Leader? A World Leader perhaps?
Well, my view is slightly different, it’s my Mum.
No, she has not led a business to dominate a market. No, she has not led people into battle. No, she hasn’t led a country. But she sure has been the leader of my world.
We seem to associate power, status of the leaders we look up to as unattainable, which leads to the conclusion that they were born with qualities that are out of reach us mere mortals. However, I believe that everyone is a leader. And maybe all we need to do is look a bit closer to home to understand this.
It has been an age-old question, whether leaders are born, or made. Some argue that certain individuals possess innate qualities that make them natural leaders, while others believe that leadership skills can be acquired and developed through learning, experience, and personal growth. In this blog, I am going to take you on the journey to discover how we all have leadership qualities, even if we live in a world that doesn’t recognise you as a leader.
Can Leadership be taught? Leadership styles, absolutely. Thousands have put their leadership theories into the pot. But are these theories actually teaching us how to be leaders, or are the just tools, enabling us to apply our skills to different situations. And these tools are really useful, I have used them to develop my own leadership style. But they haven’t taught me leadership.
Why Parenthood proves we are all leaders?
Almost 90% of the world have the gift of parent. And each an everyone has had the privilege of having a parent or caregiver who guided them through their early years of life. Parenthood, in its essence, is one of the most profound examples of leadership. As children, we rely on our parents to provide us with care, support, and guidance. They shape our values, beliefs, and behaviors through their actions and examples.
Consider a few key aspects of parenthood that exemplify leadership:
Role Modeling: Parents serve as role models for their children, exhibiting behaviors and attitudes that shape their children's development. Children often emulate their parents, learning from their actions and decisions.
Nurturing and Support: Effective leaders, like caring parents, provide emotional support and encouragement to their team members. This support fosters a sense of trust and belonging, allowing individuals to thrive and reach their potential.
Decision Making: Parenthood requires making countless decisions that impact a child's life. Similarly, leaders must make informed decisions for the benefit of their team and organization.
Empathy and Communication: Understanding a child's needs and emotions is crucial in parenting. Likewise, leaders need to be empathetic listeners and effective communicators to build strong relationships with their team.
Personal Growth and Development: Parents, continuously learn and adapt to the challenges of raising our children. Leadership also involves continuous personal growth and development to become more effective in guiding and inspiring others.
Leaders are not only the prominent figures we see on the world stage, but they are also the people who touch our lives in profound ways every day. Leadership is not confined to a select few; it is a quality present within all of us. Whether we realise it or not, we all have the potential to be leaders in our own spheres of influence. There are courses, books, journals, podcasts dedicated to teaching leadership, but the last time I looked, you can’t go university to learn parentship, why? Because we rely on instinct. We rely on our natural leadership skills.
Recognising the leadership qualities within ourselves and others can inspire us to make a positive impact on the world, no matter how big or small. So, the next time you think of a leader, remember that leaders come in various forms, and the most meaningful leadership may be found in the loving care of a parent, the support of a friend, or the unity of a community. Embrace the leader within you and inspire others to do the same.
Love you Mum x
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