You Have Stopped Leading When…

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

You know you are not leading. . .

1. When you find yourself waiting for someone else to do something, rather than taking the initiative yourself
2. When you spend too much time talking about how things should be different
3. When you blame your company, surroundings, or other people for your current situation
4. When you choose not to speak the truth… and speak it in love
5. When you are more concerned about being liked, or accepted, than doing what is right
6. When you seek consensus, rather than stepping forward to communicate your own vision of the future
7. When you are not taking any significant risks
8. When you accept the status quo
9. When you protect your reputation instead of opening yourself up to possible opposition or conflict
10. When you procrastinate making the right decision
11. When you talk to those around you about an issue - rather than talking to the individual who is responsible
12. When you don’t feel your life is being spent on anything significant
13. When you believe your opinion doesn’t really matter
14. When you wait to act because you are seeking the opinion of too many people

To lead means you are willing to move away from your comfort zone – and take the position out front. Where you are willing to take a risk, push to the edge, and courageously step out.

Leadership is not a matter of position – it is a choice you make throughout the day in various ways, and in various settings.

** What percentage of your time do you spend out front? What percentage of your time is spent outside your comfort zone?