What Leadership Means To You? Guest Writer Beau Kelley

Guest Writer: Beau Kelley

A "leader" is a number of things. He or she can be someone that delegates, motivates, gathers followers, or evokes authority. A leader can be an administrator or manager. A leader can also simply be someone with a title like "president" or "governor."

But I like to think about what makes an effective leader. I think of a famous quote (that I have always loved) from President John Quincy Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." Inspiration is the key.

When we motivate, we serve ourselves first; when we inspire, we serve others first. Inspiring leaders appeal to the heart and soul by engaging, exciting, and nourishing the spirit. A true leader gives people more than just a reason to work - they give them a passion for work.

To me, merely telling people what to do (to motivate them) does not really accomplish much in the long term. Of course, we admire leaders who motivate us. But the ones we love and respect are what most people would call a servant-leader: someone whose true leadership emerges first and foremost from a deep desire within to help others or to better their community.

A true leader is not in it for themselves; they are in it for others. In this respect, we can all be leaders.

You can connect with Beau Kelley through Facebook Here or find online at these websites; http://www.abetterhenry.com, http://www.yphenry.com, http://www.buddykelleyproperties.com, or at http://www.greygardensonline.com.