The Greatest Gift A Leader Can Give
The greatest gift a leader can give is to be the best version of themselves.
Theodore Roosevelt once stated, “If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.” We cannot expect to challenge others if we are not challenging ourselves. If we are having trouble motivating ourselves, we will have an extremely hard time motivating others. You can’t lead the masses if you can’t lead yourself.
Let me share three reasons why this gift of being your best is so important.
When you are at your best…
1) You Inspire Others To Be Their Best
People are inspired by those who are confident and courageous. And if you are operating at your best it takes confidence in yourself and courage in your efforts. You cannot expect your team to be full of confidence if you, as the leader, are questioning yourself and your cause. If you want to be an influential person just focus on being the best version of yourself you can possibly be. People are inspired by authenticity. The more authentic we are, the greater our influence becomes.
2) You Become A Great Example
The most effective form of leadership is to exemplify the high expectations you set on others. Your team will be a reflection of you. Author Norman Vincent Peale said, “Nothing is more confusing than people who give good advice but set a bad example.” Leaders need to be what they want to see. Who you are is what your people will become. People will consciously or even subconsciously follow the model of their leader.
3) You Become Incredibly Valuable To Them
The best version of yourself will always honor and value others. People value people who value them…never forget that powerful statement. If you want to influence others, believe in their potential. The German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Treat a man as he is, he will remain so. Treat a man the way he can be and ought to be, and he will become as he can be and should be.” When you are operating in your strengths and unique abilities you’ll be a valuable player to everyone around you. It’s when we aren’t operating at our best when our value goes unseen.
This Christmas season and forever, give people the greatest gift you can give them…be the best version of yourself.
