Now more than ever, you’re making an impact, even if you don’t think so.

• Every day you have an impact on people.

• Every day you affect those around you, and the varying outcomes of their decisions.

• Every day, you take the lead…whether you realize it or not.

We all have a unique and powerful impact on people.

The real question is…are you making the kind of impact you desire?

As you’ve learned through our communications over the past several months, with increased Emotional Mastery you have the ability to lead and influence others with grace and ease, however it’s a supreme responsibility…

When you can effectively take the lead in any situation, you can empower and influence others to live their best lives and work with you to the greater benefit of all involved. This is leadership!

But, What is Leadership?

“Leadership” is a word that has many meanings. Most people picture a leader as someone who holds a formal title in a corporation, organization, government, community, place of worship, educational or military setting. Sure, these people are leaders and can be powerful influences in our lives. But being a leader is so much more. Leadership goes far beyond the context of these titles.

But the truth is, leadership occurs everywhere. Where there is life, there is leadership. Everyone is a leader. That’s because leadership is really a mindset much more than a title. In fact, a title does not guarantee true leadership even though those with powerful titles often have an enormous impact on the world (regardless of whether the impact is positive or negative).

At the heart of leadership are two interrelated dynamics – impact and responsibility.

Impact is the effect that we have on others – our families, communities, the environment, and the world. We are constantly impacting others whether we realize it or not, just as when a pebble is dropped into a peaceful pool of water. When people are striving toward empowering others and creating win-win scenarios that still accomplish the desired goal, they are engaging in positive leadership. When people are only trying to achieve their own objectives, they are engaging in negative or destructive leadership.

Responsibility is a leader’s willingness to notice the impact they have and to respond in a way that is conscientious and appropriate. Even though everyone is responsible for their impact, not everyone takes responsibility for it. People commonly deny responsibility by blaming others. It is much easier to deny or blame than it is to take responsibility. But in the long run, blaming others is more difficult than taking responsibility. Because when you blame others, you give up your control. A good leader makes conscientious and appropriate responses to the world around them; they do not deny mistakes – or blame others.

So, Then - What Is Leadership Impact?

Whether you see yourself as a leader or not, you are having an impact on the world. Your every breath, movement, word, interaction, and every thought have an impact on something or someone else.

Everything we do has varying degrees of impact. Sometimes the impact is seemingly small and goes unnoticed. Much like an employee who is committed to getting the work done, taking the time to tell a child a story, throwing your litter out the car window, or volunteering your time at a senior citizen home - all these actions have an impact.

Sometimes impact is extreme, such as the loss of a loved one, a dispute with your business partner, two countries waging war, or a company-wide layoff.

Regardless of your leadership role, you have a responsibility to notice your impact, and then to adjust your leadership style and influence as needed. This is the leadership role that we are all called to accept. The next time you do anything – speak with your neighbor, voice an opinion, make a purchase, or take a breath – notice your impact on the world around you. Notice your influence or effect; notice the force of your ideas; and notice the impression you leave on others. Notice your leadership impact.

3 Secrets of being an Impactful Leader

Imagine a world where everyone consistently pays attention to their impact, takes responsibility for it, and chooses a response that is conscientious and appropriate. That alone would change the world.

Imagine a world in which you consistently pay attention to your impact, take responsibility for it, and choose a response that is conscientious and appropriate. What difference would this make in your life and the lives of the people you influence? Yes – you are a leader.

As we are leading and impacting others, are we getting the results we want? If yes, do we know what we are doing to get those results so we can keep getting them again and again? And if no, do we know what we are doing that is disempowering others, so we can change our approach to achieve our desired results and empower others in the process?

So, what does it take to be an impactful leader? Being a leader is not about your title, the power of your position, or how many followers you have. It comes down to three critical steps.

1. Know where you are coming from. Embrace your own preferred leadership style so that you are playing to your strengths

2. Adopt a leadership mindset that positively affects your behaviors, your outcomes and therefore your impact.

3. Empower your team members to be their best. Combine your style with their preference to empower them, achieve your desired results and make a positive impact

After all, isn't that what we're all after? Reaching a common goal while making a positive impact? Our next blog will explore these three strategies in more detail.

Leave a comment and let us know how you incorporate these 3 steps into your WorkLife.