How Simple Everyday Leadership Can Change the World

By Mary Jaksch

Hands up if you are a leader!

Did you hesitate? If so, it’s because we’ve made leadership into something beyond us. We’ve taken this title leader and we treat it as if it’s something we’re one day going to deserve. To call ourselves a leader right now seems to be arrogant and cocky.

What if that’s wrong?
What if there are moments every day when you are a leader? What if we’ve forgotten to cherish the small acts of everyday leadership that make the world a better place?

Watch the inspiring video below by Drew Dudley who talks about ‘Everyday Leadership’.

(If you’re reading this by email, click here to watch the video)

What is your experience of everyday leadership? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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How Simple Everyday Leadership Can Change the World | Our Good Life Biz: February 22, 2012 at 7:42 pm
12 Positively Amazing ways to Be Young Forever « *POSITIVE PROVOCATIONS*: March 12, 2012 at 3:05 pm

{ 16 comments }

1 Sweetie G February 23, 2012 at 5:38 am: Hey, this post has really got me thinking. I’ve never thought of myself as a leader. But the video is really inspiring – I never thought of my ordinary actions as leadership stuff…
Awesome!
2 jared February 23, 2012 at 10:35 am: Loved the video, thanks for sharing.

I’ve discovered that most often when I “think” I’m caring a message or leading, I’m not. The most powerful leadership comes from attraction I believe. That as I move through this life, being of service and helping others, people stop and ask me, “how did you get that way.” I can then share my experience and lead, not from the ego, but as a caring human being.

I liked Scott Dinsmore’s post recently about “How an Average Person Becomes Famous,” in that he challenges us to “do something that causes people to say: “What the */$# are you talking about?!” Not that we have to be famous to lead, that’s certainly not the case. But being bold enough at times to believe in something so whole-hardheartedly that failure is not possible in the traditional sense. The only failure would be simply not trying at all.

I do think people get caught up in thinking they have to change the world. But I can say from experience, that changing just one person’s life, really making a difference, is a wonderful thing and extremely fulfilling.
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3 Rose Byrd February 23, 2012 at 1:20 pm: Mary, how serendipitous that your post today would be on leadership, when my own post yesterday was about a totally unexpected act of leadership! You will find the link to that post with this comment. I would be so indebted to you if you could provide any feedback there! I look forward to your posts on Goodlifezen!
Rose Byrd´s last [type] ..….and they said I could not lead
4 Subhan February 23, 2012 at 8:28 pm: Lollypop moments so sweet…….I attempt to practice this by being curtious while driving my car……its a feel good experience that can just keep giving and receiving positive energy….and yes a leadership experience…..thankyou Mary.
5 Donna February 28, 2012 at 4:09 am: In my experience, aside from the hard work required in leadership, one can be a leader if he/she has gained the respect and trust of his/her members. It is crucial that we become a good examples and create a good impression about ourselves.
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6 Maria February 28, 2012 at 12:07 pm: What a great video! I think Drew is absolutely right and I have had the situation of someone coming up to me and not remembering how I made a difference in their life.

I personally do not have a formula for leadership, however, I feel very strongly that it means to operate in the moment from a spirit of friendship and regard. I also think we have to extend that friendship and regard to ourselves. It is a kind of leadership that creates well being around us and promotes community and individual well being at the same time.

Thanks for a great video.
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7 Noch Noch | be me. be natural. February 29, 2012 at 12:17 am: leadership can happen anywhere – esp when not given the actual title of leader. i think everyone of us here, inspiring others by our words, is a leader. we believe in something, and want to influence the world positively
that’s what a leader is about
Noch noch
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8 Natalie March 1, 2012 at 12:24 am: What a great video clips, leadership can be have/ express in any condition… Each of us has stand in different quality of leadership, but it depends on a person on how he/she handle it… As a mother I have a rules and regulation that must follow of my husband and children’s….
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9 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher March 1, 2012 at 1:43 pm: My perspective is that true leaders do not consciously decide to be a leader; they simply act authentically; they don’t follow anyone other than themselves; they don’t try to find ways to get others to follow them; and they encourage others to act the same.

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” ~ Basho
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10 Coline March 2, 2012 at 10:20 am: I don’t think leader is always stand to be a leader in different factors because they are also collecting the ideas of other in order to become the best among all and in the eyes of her stuff….
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11 Steve Rice March 5, 2012 at 12:13 am: Mary, you have absolutely hit the nail on the head with this one! I was challenged by a business consultant recently to stand up and embrace the role I have as the leader of my “tribe”. “Lead your revolution!” She said.

I’ve always been a pretty laid back personality, but the truth is that I am a great natural leader. I’m able to step in and see the big picture and help organize and get things done. It’s natural to me. But I tended to discount this quality because I didn’t trust myself as the leader. Consequently, I found that others couldn’t trust me either.

Stepping up to the plate and showing up (and continuing to do so) in my own life has been one of the most powerful and rewarding experiences of my journey.
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12 Lucky Love March 5, 2012 at 11:21 am: The best book I’ve read on leadership is Seth Godin’s Tribes.

For a blogger it’s an absolute must.

With our blogs we are leading our own tribes.

Is there anyone else out there wo read it as well?
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13 kathleen March 6, 2012 at 9:37 am: I’m able to step in and see the big picture and help organize and get things done. It’s natural to me.I think leadership is really important
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14 Andrew March 24, 2012 at 8:42 pm: I have always operated usinging the following principles of leadership:
1) Consistency
2) Non discriminatory
3) Empowerment of those within my supervision
4) Compassion where the situation calls for it.
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15 Jennifer April 25, 2012 at 1:47 am: Did you hesitate? If so, it’s because we’ve made leadership into something beyond us. We’ve taken this title leader and we treat it as if it’s something we’re one day going to deserve. To call ourselves a leader right now seems to be arrogant and cocky.
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16 Vinita Zutshi November 4, 2012 at 9:37 am: Mary, thank you so much for sharing. Now there’s more food – for thought, and action!