A great friend of mine, Tim Lavender, wrote one of my favorite books, “Achieving Personal Greatness.” This book set me on my path of speaking, training, and writing.
Achieving personal greatness is a lifelong journey that involves harmonizing two essential aspects of life: the "being" side, which encompasses our potential, values, talents, and skills, and the "doing" side, which involves our actions and behaviors that exert influence on the world around us. This pursuit of personal greatness begins with self, but it should never end with self. It extends to how we positively impact others, leading to our recognition as leaders in their eyes.
The journey towards personal greatness commences with leading oneself. It entails recognizing that you are on a path of growth and self-improvement. You are actively honing your talents, developing your skills, and actualizing your values. Each day, you strive to become more than you were yesterday through intention, effort, learning, and practice.
You are not merely drifting through life, allowing circumstances to dictate your course. Instead, you are charting a deliberate path that aligns with your goals, plans, and purpose. You are actively influencing your thoughts, responses to challenges, choices, and the quality of your relationships.
The Difference Between Leaders and Followers
To better understand what it means to be a leader, it's valuable to contrast it with being a follower.
A follower typically:
- Follows the crowd, mirroring the actions of others without much thought.
- Operates on a short-term, reactive basis without considering the long-term consequences.
- Lets emotions guide decisions, often prioritizing immediate gratification.
- Accepts opportunities without considering their alignment with personal talents or purpose.
In essence, a follower tends to focus on the self and does not see themselves as a leader. They may believe they are not role models, but the truth is that everyone is a role model to someone, whether they realize it or not. Individuals inevitably influence others through their actions, either positively or negatively.
The Characteristics of a Genuine Leader
On the other hand, a genuine leader actively shapes their own life and provides leadership by example.
They:
- Determine a personal path, set goals, and create plans to reach their desired destination.
- Recognize their potential to influence others and aim to use this influence for the greater good.
- Assess affiliations, memberships, and opportunities based on their alignment with their goals and values.
- Actively lead their own lives, setting an example for others to follow.
“A leader who manifests personal greatness determines the right path to follow personally, and then walks out that path, thinks about tomorrow.”
– Tim Lavender
Influential Leadership and Positional Leadership
The relationship between influential leadership and positional leadership is noteworthy. Those who lead by example and exert positive influence on others tend to find themselves elevated to positions of leadership. It may not occur immediately or involve climbing the corporate ladder, but it certainly manifests in broader social, cultural, and spiritual contexts.
Not all positional leaders are embraced as personal leaders or role models, but all genuinely influential leaders eventually become positional leaders in some capacity. Their energy, dreams, and commitment to excellence attract others to emulate their character, join their causes, and align themselves with their values. These followers may not consciously recognize themselves as such, but they are undeniably being influenced and led.
The Remarkable Example of Mother Teresa
One outstanding exemplar of this leadership model is Mother Teresa. She spent her life on the streets of Calcutta, teaching compassion for the poor and the dying. Her message was simple but profound: show compassion for the most vulnerable in society. Mother Teresa's personal example of unwavering dedication and character complemented her message. She actively demonstrated how to care for the disenfranchised, the sick, the lonely, and the dying, enabling others to follow her lead. She raised vast sums of money and mobilized a dedicated group of individuals who continued her work long after her passing.
Mother Teresa's life serves as a testament to the profound impact of influential leadership. She channeled her potential, influenced countless lives, and transformed her world. Her legacy reaffirms that true greatness is achieved by actively leading oneself and positively influencing others. I
nfluential leadership is attained by harmonizing the "being" and "doing" sides of life. As we cultivate our potential and values while actively influencing others for good, we embark on a journey towards lasting significance and leadership that extends far beyond ourselves.
Matthew Renz | With a three-decade background in corporate sales and leadership with UnitedHealthcare, Matthew brings a passion and energy for personal and professional growth and leadership development. He is a speaker, trainer, and author who packs everything he touches with thought-provoking ideas meant to grow and build relationships. Reach him by email: matthew@matthew-renz.com.
Matthew Renz
Contact Me