EMPOWERING CHANGE

Leila S. Silvestre

Leadership is not about position, title or status, it is about influence, impact and inspiration. Many of us are still confuse of what a great leader is? Is he the most prominent? The richest? The famous? Or the most intelligent? Partly, but a great leader is more than that. Let us see what kind of leader are you in the stages of leadership by John A. Maxwell.

There are times that we need to follow our leaders because we have to. They are in the position and we are obliged to do so. Whether we like it or not, we cannot do anything about it but to follow because we are under them. That is a leader by position.

There are also instances in which people follow because they want to, probably because they need something to this person that all they can do is to follow in order to get their desires. This leader is being followed because it is a way to achieve a certain goal or milestone in life. A leader by permission.

In a school or a workplace, we have leaders who can contribute a lot in the organization, they lead because of what they have done. These are the people who are the assets to make something happen and we follow them. And through their leadership, products have been made and goals have been accomplished. A leader by production.

Leadership is influence, whether the influence is good or bad as long as somebody follows, and you lead them into something, then you can be a leader. Mostly this happens because followers have personally grown through mentorship and it involves encouragements of others to lead as well. There is a personal development through process. People follow because of what you have done for them. A leader by people development.

A leader is far beyond being followed because of the position he has, nor because he is the most accomplished neither because someone owes something in him. A leader is a leader because they believe in him, respects him and honor him. This is a result of long years of cultivating relationships, producing results and developing others. Far more than influence is the impact it leaves to his people and the inspiration he gives for them to be great in their own. People follow because of who he is and what he is as a person. A leader of personhood.

Let us remember that leading is a big responsibility, we must use our influence to inspire others, to transform others and touch the lives of others to realize their full potentials and reach their dreams. A great leader creates vision, shapes values and EMPOWERING CHANGE.

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The author is Teacher III at Ma. Consolacion Elementary School, Dau,

Mabalacat City