Sometimes I think that we can have the wrong idea of leadership. Have you ever participated in a group project or activity? When I was fifteen years old, I joined the youth worship band at my church. Band was my favorite night of the week. But being involved with a group of about eight individuals, it didn’t take me long to realize that we all can lead a group without even realizing that we’re doing it. I call this: being an “attitude leader.” In our band, we had one person who was designated the “leader” of the group and organized our meetings. Because I was not that leader, I assumed I was not responsible for leading any aspect of the group. Yet, slowly I began to notice how each of us were leading in our own way. If one of us was in a bad mood and shared negative input, immediately everyone else would get negative. If one of us was worried about a performance, it was like a ripple effect that caused everyone else to start worrying. Whether we realized it or not, we were all being leaders. My mother has always taught me that our attitude has an effect on those around us. And whether she meant to or not, she was teaching me a new concept of leadership. If we think that leadership is only for those who have the title of “leader” then we have the wrong idea of leadership. Everyone can be a leader, because everyone has the opportunity to shape the attitudes of those around them by their own attitude. Although I first started to learn this in a small gym around a few musical instruments, I see that this concept of leadership plays out in every group, and especially in our work environments. When you clock-in at work, whether or not you have the title of “manager” or “leader,” you are given the opportunity to lead your co-workers in a positive way. Maybe someone on your team—or even a customer—is having a rough day. Do your best to cheer them up, serve them, and make them smile. Maybe something about the day doesn’t go as planned and it can be tempting to get frustrated and express negativity. Instead, pause and consider how your negative attitude could affect the entire team and the customers you are serving. Bring out the positives of every situation, even when it’s not always easy. If you don't have a job yet, consider how you're leading at home, or at school, or in your group of friends. Maybe you're even in a worship team and you need to recognize that your attitude needs a little bit of shaping up. Is your attitude worthy of being followed? If a co-worker, friend, or family member were to pick up the attitude you are displaying, would they be more positive or more negative? A great way to keep our attitude one that is worthy of being followed is to constantly give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us to, “give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Even when a situation is less than ideal, make it your goal to point out what you are grateful for anyway. I’ve learned that while you may not get results right away, if you keep being positive no matter what, eventually others will follow your lead. Are you leading with a good attitude today?
4 Comments
Aaaaamen! A good principle is, never be a follower. Always be a leader. Even if no one follows you, be a leader. Always do what's right and pure and do it confidently, even if others despise you for it (hello volleyball). It WILL impact those around you, even if it doesn't look like it.
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Bella Morganthal
10/26/2018 12:40:02 pm
So, so true, friend! So proud of you for the ways you lead even when it's hard <3
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Hannah Kohner
10/28/2018 10:21:55 pm
Wow. Such good questions and such a good blog post! Caused me to think a little bit!
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10/29/2018 04:58:44 pm
This was so good, my mom has taught me the same thing and it's so true, our attitudes not only affect our lives but the lives of those around us. :)
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