Last month I started a series based on comments made by Mark Cole, the CEO of the Maxwell Certified Leadership Team. Speaking at the International Maxwell Certification event held in Orlando, Florida, he said “Be the One.”
His first point was, “Be the one that develops the leader within” and for me that means:
- Be the one who sets an example for others.
- Be the one committed to life-long learning.
- Be the one who is an avid reader of leadership, history, current events, and professional publications.
- Be the one who attends seminars, workshops, lunch and learns, etc.
- Be the one who seeks feedback from trusted sources.
- Be the one who learns from people outside of your profession.
Developing our leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities requires action and effort on our part. Gary Barnes, an international speaker, and coach in the Denver Metro area says, “Be a participant, not a spectator.” Are you participating in your own leadership development or do you hope it will occur without any sweat equity put into the equation? Are you waiting for your organization to develop you or will you act on your own? What are you going to do?
