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Is Leadership Earned, or Is It a Natural Attribute?
Have you ever picked up the newspaper to see the front page saying, "A Leader was Born Today." The article continues, saying there was a leader who was born today weighing in at nine pounds six ounces, and at twenty one inches long.
If you have seen this, then I hope you will forward it on to me because I haven't. The bottom line is leadership is not a natural attribute that we are born with. Like every other thing some people have more of a natural gift at leadership than other people, but to achieve true leadership, you have to earn it.
To earn your leadership you need to do your time, build trust, and add value to others.
- - - This article was reprinted with Christopher's written permission from helium.com - - -
Do Your Time
Rome wasn't built in a day, and your leadership ability won't be either. You have to do your time by spending time with the people you work with. Let them know you appreciate them and want to see them succeed. Leadership expert John C. Maxwell says, "I've never been the real leader at any job when I first started it" Invest Your Time in Others
Build Trust
An important part of leadership is building trust with the people you work with. As I've said above, this takes time because you need to invest time in others by getting to know them, so they can get to know you on a personal level. People won't trust you until they know you, and they won't follow you until they trust you. Do Your Time, Invest Your Time in Others, Build Trust and Earn Your Leadership!
What do you think?
Books to help you earn your leadership
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
This is one of my all-time favorite leadership books. John C. Maxwell describes 21 laws of leadership that will help you develop your leadership potential.
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Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/24/2009) 
List Price: $24.99
Used Price: $11.27
Usually ships in 24 hours
You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader: How Anyone, Anywhere, Can Make a Positive Difference
Mark Sanborn wrote this great book on how anyone, anywhere can make a positive difference at their company or community. Mark says that regardless of job title, you can make a difference as a leader.
Release Date: 09/19/2006
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Amazon Price: $10.87 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $15.99
Used Price: $0.98
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Principle Centered Leadership
I haven't read this book yet, but I've heard Steven Covey does a great job in this book of articulating the characteristics of leaders.
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Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $16.00
Used Price: $0.01
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Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
This is a short book by John C. Maxwell that you can read in one sitting.
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Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $9.99
Used Price: $0.75
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Guts!: Companies that Blow the Doors Off Business-As-Usual
Kevin & Jackie Freiberg wrote this book based on the many gutsy leaders we have in America.
Release Date: 12/23/2003
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Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)
List Price: $26.00
Used Price: $0.01
Leadership books by John C. Maxwell
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Who is this lensmaster?
Learn more about Christopher by reading his blog
Nonprofit Leadership, Innovation, and Change
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- Christopher_Scott Christopher_Scott Jun 29, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
- I love your thought about putting in the effort to be a leader someone would want to follow. That is true, we just need to think of what we want in someone we follow, and embody that person. :-)
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- Astrieanna Astrieanna Jun 15, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
- I agree with you. In order to be a leader, you need to want to be one. While a natural confident, friendly disposition helps, anyone can put the effort in to be a leader (by choosing to be someone they would want to follow).
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- Amitabh1702 Amitabh1702 Jan 27, 2009 @ 7:45 am
- A contrasting view to general leadership theory can be found in the following lens => http://www.squidoo.com/leadership-hype
I would love to have your reaction on that.
Cheers!
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Nov 19, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
- While leaders are not "born" they have to have the natural ability to build on. I think its a combination of both nature and nurture. I've seen "naturals" go down the wrong path, and children with the drive and the support never manage to slide into that position of leadership.
Great lens
Lizzy
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- Recession-Proof Recession-Proof Mar 25, 2008 @ 10:30 am
- Cool lens Christopher, As a student of leadership myself I really appreciate those who promote the priciples of leadership rather than the latest management fad, great lens. Jesse
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- CMOE CMOE Feb 27, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
- I am really trying to get some input on my new hub. I saw your lens and a few others and saw that you know what you re doing. I am trying to get some input from people that know about leadership. You can see it at a>. If you want my input on something I would more than happy to help. Thanks for the help.
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