To Initiate is To Lead

There is no leadership without initiative. It is where it starts.

The other day Seth Godin posted the following.

"I'm just here to learn."

Learning is fine. Listening is good. Consensus is natural.

But initiating is rare and valuable and essential. (my emphasis)

Last week I was sitting with a friend talking about a variety of subjects and I realized that I had crossed a threshold. I was no longer a consumer but a producer. I spend more of my time writing than I do reading others' writings.  It was a good feeling.

The Circle of Impact developed from the realization that leadership begins with personal initiative. 

Leaders take initiative to create impact with ideas, through relationships and in organizational structures.

What does it mean for everyone in an organization to lead? What happens if only 10% of the organization leads? What happens if you change that to 25%? What happens if 15% more people are taking initiative to make a difference? Do you think the difference is tangible, measurable and meaningful?

Initiative doesn't have to be rare. All it takes is a person deciding that something that matters to them requires some kind of action to affirm it. That's all.

When initiation becomes a natural and learned part of our lives, we begin to become producers of things that are valuable and essential. There is no waiting either. We can begin with our first step forward. So go and initiate and be a leader in the place where you are right now.

Comments

[Rodney Johnson]

"Last week I was sitting with a friend talking about a variety of subjects and I realized that I had crossed a threshold. I was no longer a consumer but a producer. I spend more of my time writing than I do reading others' writings. It was a good feeling."

This is a powerful and profound idea. Thanks for sharing