(Going back to my leadership foundation, John Maxwell, for some lessons on leadership. Excerpt below from his book, Good Leaders Ask Great Questions.)

How Do You Determine Your Leadership Potential?

1. Pay Attention to the Need You See

Leadership begins with a need, not when someone wants to fill an empty leadership position. Sometimes people see a need and it sparks something within them, a passion. If you see a need that you feel a strong desire to address, and it moves you to action, that is a sign that you have the potential to lead in that area.

2. Use Your Natural Abilities to Help Others

When the desire to address a need intersects with an ability to do something about it, sparks begin to fly. When the ability of the leader perfectly fits the need of the moment, the results can be extraordinary. You have gifts, talents, and skills that you can use to help people. It is your responsibility to learn what those abilities are and develop them. Once you’ve discovered and developed your abilities, put them to use to help your team.

3. Make the Most of Your Passion

When you begin helping others in an area that you believe is important, you may find passion rising in you. That’s a positive sign. Passion in a leader is compelling to others. People want to follow passionate leaders. It makes them want to jump on board and join them.

4. Develop Your Influence

The bottom line on leadership is that it’s influence. People who think they’re leading but have no one following them are only taking a walk. If you want to make an impact in the world, you must be able to influence people.

If you focus your attention on a need that speaks to your heart, make the most of your abilities, tap into your passion, and develop influence, you can become a leader.
And you will be able to make a difference in the world.

~Evolution of Self
#leadership #passion #abilities #need #influence #makeadifference #wednesdaywisdom