Becoming a Leader
By Walter Rodriguez, PhD, PE
We live in challenging times. But the good news is, every challenge brings an opportunity! If we approach our circumstances with grit—a combination of courage, resolve, and strength of character—coupled with a strong sense of purpose, we can rise to leadership in any field we choose. Success is within reach for anyone willing to embrace these actions and move forward with intention.
The Power of Stories and Relationships
As leaders, our ability to influence people stems from the stories we tell and the relationships we build. We tell stories to inspire change, boost performance, and guide others toward meaningful outcomes (Leddin & Covey 2021). Leadership isn’t about solitary actions but cultivating a relationship where the leader and the team align toward a shared purpose. The good news is that opportunities to lead are all around us. By recognizing them and taking action, we step into emergent leadership roles that naturally develop through our daily challenges.
Our mindset shapes how we lead. Every action we take, and every outcome we achieve starts with our thinking. Even when setbacks occur, learning from them and staying proactive keeps us on track. When the team isn’t performing as expected, a leader doesn’t sit on the sidelines—they step up and lead by example.
Gaining Perspective and Clarifying Focus
To become effective leaders, we must understand our strengths, weaknesses, and values (Drucker 1999). We perform best when we build on our strengths, so it’s essential to identify them early on. Tools like the Gallup strengths test can help, but asking yourself, “What do I do best?” is a great place to start.
Once we know what we can control, we must take calculated risks and move forward (Leddin & Covey 2021). Reflect on your priorities by asking:
What takes most of my time and energy?
What obstacles are preventing me from focusing?
How can I reduce or eliminate these barriers?
Balancing leadership styles is also essential. Influential leaders know when to push—providing direction and holding others accountable—and when to pull, encouraging collaboration and exploring new ideas (Folkman 2022).
Engaging People and Building Relationships
Leadership is about people. Getting caught up in tasks and overlooking the human aspect is easy. To engage others, we need to keep relationships at the forefront of our decision-making (Leddin & Covey 2021). Ask yourself:
Whose agenda am I following—mine, theirs, or a shared one?
Do I focus too much on tasks and forget the people behind them?
Strong leaders also seek mentors. Identify someone who has had a meaningful impact on your career and ask for their guidance. The right mentor can inspire, support, and help you navigate challenges.
Listening and Learning
One of the most valuable leadership skills is the ability to listen. Nelson Mandela, the son of a tribal chief, shared a powerful lesson: his father would always listen first and speak last during meetings (Sinek 2014). Listening allows us to understand others and build trust—a foundational skill for any leader.
Embracing Failure and Finding Clarity
Leaders inevitably encounter setbacks. But failure is not the end—it’s an opportunity to grow. The key is resilience: getting back up, learning from mistakes, and moving forward with incredible determination (Leddin & Covey 2021). Ask yourself:
Have my past failures increased or diminished my drive?
What dreams have I given up on, and can I revisit them?
Scarcity and constraints also bring clarity, driving focus and creativity. As Google CEO Sundar Pichai said, “Scarcity breeds clarity” (Zetlin 2022).
Leading with Purpose and Passion
Great leaders balance planning with action. They establish priorities, create strategies, and inspire their teams by aligning actions with core values (Kotter 1996). Successful leadership isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about nurturing a shared vision and inspiring performance.
Jim Collins (2001) emphasizes the importance of humility and discipline in leadership. Leaders must be able to face brutal realities while maintaining unwavering faith that they will prevail—an approach known as the “Stockdale Paradox.”
Take Action and Lead Today
Leadership is not reserved for a select few—it’s available to all if we take the initiative. Start by crafting a personal leadership purpose statement. Align your actions with your values, and inspire others by sharing a clear vision. Be open to learning, innovate instead of imitating, and lead passionately.
And finally, remember to enjoy the journey. Leadership is not just about results; it’s about making a difference, building relationships, and positively impacting the world.
So, what’s your next step? Take action today and become the leader you were meant to be!