I recently had the privilege of presenting an all day workshop on leadership and the art of converting people who are considered hard to work with into allies. In the course of the day, one of the participants asked the question, “Is the number of people that you lead important?” As we discussed this question, it became evident that the thought behind the question involved this participant comparing himself to world leaders and wondering how he could have the same impact on the world as someone who leads millions of individuals.
On the surface, it would appear that someone leading millions would clearly have a greater impact on the world than an individual leading one person or a dozen people; on the surface. But let’s dig a little deeper.
Great Leaders recognize that leading, in and of itself, influences those who follow. Whether it’s a single follower or a million followers, the potential is there to change the world.
Consider a small pebble dropped into a pond. It generates ripples that expand out into the pond and continue on to the shoreline where they meet the resistance of land and rebound back toward the center of the pond. In and of itself, this sounds like it is no big deal that has little, if any, impact on the world around it. But, if that small ripple dislodges a small rock and weakens an earthen work dam which ultimately collapses sending a torrential flood downriver, how insignificant was that pebble that fell into the pond?
Regardless if they lead one or millions, Great Leaders give their very best and lead their followers toward the best knowing that the lessons that they teach, the examples that they provide, today will impact generations to come by of the changes that they make in the lives of their followers today. Has a Great Leader changed your life; or, have you, by your leadership, changed the life of another? Comment here to share your story.
Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com