We All Have the Power to be Leaders – And We Should Take It
Leadership is a universal concept. Whether you're a boss, an editor, a writer, or even self-employed, you're not exempt from it. There's always a hierarchy in sales or any form of human interaction, even for those at the top of the ladder. This universality of leadership means that we are all part of a larger community, each with unique roles.
Regardless of our position or who we answer to, we all have the power to lead. Whether we're the CEO of a company, a secretary, a janitor, an outside consultant, or a writer, we have the responsibility and the capability to lead. This empowerment is a testament to our potential and should instill confidence in our abilities.
Titles don’t matter. Leadership does. Authority does not mean leadership. Everyone can and must have leadership if they wish to succeed and advance. Even working alone as writers, we need to mentally function as leaders of ourselves and our publishing or entertainment team.
What is a leader? That’s simple. It’s someone who gets things done and inspires others to lead and get things done.
Regardless of who they are or their job, leaders break free from passivity, do not succumb to victim thinking, embrace positivity, think strategically, and act accordingly.
Lacking a particular title or position of authority does not mean you cannot act; it does not mean you cannot be a leader. So, how do you lead if you don’t have the job title recognition to do it?
To lead means not waiting for permission. It is seeing a job that needs to be done or a path that needs to be taken and then doing it. Every writer has those opportunities to lead the team daily through their leadership, either by example and influence or directly leading to change the trajectory of the future. This self-leadership is crucial to our roles and should make us feel responsible and in control of our actions.
Leaders see themselves differently than non-leaders. It is a self-image based on confidence and passion for something that needs improvement, something that needs to be built. Being a leader is not only what you do; it is a behavior and a look at life. Leaders are bold. They have confidence, know how to handle uncomfortable situations, and navigate treacherous waters to reach their destination. Leadership is not about leadership behaviors. Leadership is about being an active leader and a leader by example and inspiration.
Those who want to be leaders are genuine. They do not exaggerate their abilities to get others to follow them (this is an ego disorder), they don’t pretend to have skillsets that they do not have (this is deception), and they don’t adapt themselves to meet the expectations of others (this is not leadership at all, but conformity). Leadership is something that comes from within you and is inspired by you. It is an understanding and acceptance of those you know who can help you and your team achieve your ends; it is your knowledge and wisdom; it is an honest understanding of who you are and your values; and it is the action of moving forward based upon this understanding. Knowing these things gives you a position of internal strength, something that external pats on the back are not a match for in terms of change and influence. A leader (you) is ambitious. Ambition inspires others if you are willing to include them. Ambition can lead your publishing or entertainment team to support and follow you. Leadership becomes a win-win for all.
A word of caution. Leadership inspires ambition, and ambition is a two-edged sword. It can be used for personal gain. This is not the best version of ambition. Authentic leadership prioritizes the team and the mission. This is where ambition runs pure. Leadership and ambition work at their best when encouraging others to be the best, leading others where they can thrive, and moving the project down the field, perfecting it as it is taken. Leadership continuously checks ambition and vets it for purity. Not much is more off-putting than an arrogant and ambitious writer; nothing is more admirable for a writer to be in a position of selflessly leading the team to a victory that benefits all members.
Leaders include writer-leaders because writers are at the top of the food chain and responsible for all the positions, jobs, and tasks that follow from their writing. Thinking you are not getting support from a publisher is not leadership. Inspiring your publisher to support you is. You are in charge of your actions; by example, you become a leader for the rest of your team. This means you start with leadership over yourself. It then spills over and inspires others. It all begins with us individually. Don’t wait for others to make the first move. You make it and then bring others with you through inspiration and example. Your positive mental state and belief in what can be accomplished carry you and everyone else forward.
Understand your role as a leader. It is not to do everything. It is to inspire everyone else to do what they are good at to support the team and the mission. You do this by your example and genuine concern for other team members' welfare. No matter where you are in your career or status, you can be a leader. You must be a leader.
