Who Me? An Awakening Leader?

By Kerrie Dancing Butterfly Yes you! Yes everyone! Everyone has the potential to be a leader. Especially now, all voices, all ideas, all perspectives, all talents, all skills, all resources and all hands are needed to dream and manifest new sustainable solutions into our collective reality. Each of us will be called to lead in different ways. What does leadership look like today? We may be using an outdated view of what it is to be a leader. Many think that being a leader means to hold office, be a public speaker, a CEO, a best-selling author or be interviewed on CNN. However, as times change, so too must our interpretation evolve as to what it is to be a leader. As a parent, business owner, teacher, politician, author, craftsman, musician or coach, being a leader starts first with your leadership character. Here are some simple ways you can lead by being a shining example for others in your family or community to emulate. *Be in integrity with your wordrn*Be brave enough to choose the road less traveled or even pave a new path for yourself and othersrn*Follow your true heart’s passionrn*Choose compassion over judgment in all situationsrn*Accept and honor the value of diversity in our worldrn*Live in harmony with the environment as you lighten your impring by reducing, reusing and recyclingrn*Exhibit random acts of kindness when least expected and without expectationrn*Speak your perspective passionately and compassionatelyrn*Speak kind words to othersrn*Express bold new ideas and solutions to old problems instead of complaining about them ~ break out of your comfort zonern*Choose Faith over fearrn*Help those less fortunatern*Live financially within your meansrn*Live a balanced life honoring your health, spirituality, family and professionrn*Take ownership for your choices and your realityrn*Be loving and authentic in your personal and family relationships How can you lead in your profession? *Exhibit exceptional ethics in your business dealingsrn*Be on time and follow through with your commitmentsrn*Switch out blame and gossip in the workplace for clear, positive communicationrn*Bring innovative and creative solutions to the challenges of the businessrn*Seek to implement sustainable and environmentally-friendly approaches Anyone in the community, in addition to parents, can exemplify leadership qualities for our youth. *Model and teach your young ones how to respect others, exhibit moral values, honesty, sportsmanship, cooperation, tolerance, patience, accountability, exploration and compassionrn*Give your youth stable environments, healthy structure and a strong foundation on which to establish their rootsrn*Give children a space to spread their individual wings and express their perspectives, feelings, creativity and passions Leadership can be that simple and it starts with you and your own leadership character. With impeccable leadership, you can go into any arena and make monumental change happen fast. If it is your calling to write a book, address the school board, be a member of the US Congress, or chair a new organization, these simple suggestions will help you lead in any situation, with integrity, and with the respect and support of your peers. I invite you to look within and find your awakening leader; step up and make a difference today in your life, family and community.