If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become, then, you are an excellent leader. -Dolly Parton

Leadership is an interesting topic.  It has many talking points and many moving parts, but more importantly it applies to everyone.  With that said, there is a certain level of ambiguity to it.

Do you feel like a leader?  If so, how effective is your leadership?

I’ve had many conversations with individuals and organizations, and I’ve discovered that even the strongest leaders are unsure if they are leading the best way.

Although leadership is dynamic, it does have a level of simplicity.  The greatest leaders understand that leadership simply starts with leading self.  This is what the greatest leaders all know.  However to lead first yourself and others, you must first give away a few things that can negatively affect your leadership.  Here are 5 things you should give away to strengthen your leadership.

1. Self-Doubt

Everyone has struggled with self-doubt at some point in his or her life, but a leader must give away this destructive habit.  The more this habit is practiced it will slowly but surely have a person stuck in an endless loop of negativity that will destroy every part of your leadership.

2. Exclusiveness

Indian activist Mahtma Gandhi said, “No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.”  These words certainly apply to leadership.  No leader or organization can survive and enjoy success with exclusivity.  Exclusivity produces exclusion.  The most effective way to grow you and your organization is to rid yourself of exclusion and practice inclusion.  Inclusion focuses on establishing a culture of belonging and connection.

3. Time

Time is a precious commodity.  You should never waste time, but you should be willing to give up your time to better yourself and others.  If you ask any great leader, I believe most of them will tell you that time is more valuable than money.  So don’t be afraid to give away your time.

4. Control

Leadership is about influence, not control.  As a leader, it is important to understand that most things are out of your control.  Charles R. Swindoll said, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”  In other words, we can only control ourselves.  Get rid of any idea of controlling anyone aside from yourself because the thought of controlling anyone but you is only an illusion. 

5. Procrastination

What we don’t take care of now, we will have to take care of it later.  In some cases procrastination is because of laziness.  When it comes to leadership, many times procrastination is from delaying making an important decision.  Just remember, no one or nothing in life is perfect.  So stop thinking that you have to be perfect with your leadership and just get started.

The success of your leadership is dependent on your ability to give away these things.

What things do you need to give away to strengthen your leadership?  Please leave a comment below or email me directly.

Bryant 

If you liked what you read here, subscribe here to get the latest ideas on success and leadership.