“The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.”

John Wooden

Leadership doesn’t have anything to do with roles, titles, jobs, etc. If a person is inspiring another to do something different because of their own actions or behaviors, that is leadership. As John Maxwell states, “Leadership is influence.”

Yesterday I wrote about about Catherine and the incredible experience that she created for me through her actions. She was leading through her personal example. I have had a constant stream of thoughts in my mind about her actions and that has influenced me and what I doing and saying to others.

All too often it is easy to get wrapped up in the titles and roles and forget that the most effective, yet basic and simple demonstration of leadership comes through your own actions and behaviors. These actions are rooted in your thoughts so the place to start, if you want to lead by example, is to focus on leading yourself. Set the standard for yourself, and hold yourself accountable to that standard. That becomes leadership for others, regardless of what your title is…