What does "everyone leads" mean to you?
LEADERSHIP CAN HAPPEN IN SUPPORTING ROLES, TOO
Author: MARCUS B. BOATWRIGHT, New York, N.Y.
“We advance toward our destiny when we encourage others to reach theirs.” – Paul Wesselmann
One of the first things that helped me reach my passion was realizing my purpose and existence in this world. The majority of my life has been spent in service to others and making change within different communities. All the groups that I have worked with have felt a responsibility to bring a common understanding among different groups of people, also known as “bridging
the gap.”
Growing up in Rochester, N.Y., as an African-American male, I had a chance to understand the struggles of disadvantaged and unfair lifestyles. I wanted to give back and represent my community from a positive stance because my population often experiences false representation. Although I am an African-American and grew up in an urban environment, my purpose is not limited to that community. My leadership style is intended to touch all people.
The passion I use to understand others fuels my passion to want to represent those whose
voices are unheard, mislead and/or misguided. From my perspective, the concept “Everyone Leads” doesn’t mean that everyone is on the forefront fighting to make change. The factors that need change help leaders lead. A person who knows how to follow is also a leader, and all leaders are not star players. Who am I to call myself a leader and not pay homage to the agents who allow me to lead?
Thanks to Public Allies of New York, I am able to have a much clearer outlook on this concept. “Everyone Leads” is similar to teamwork and teamwork makes the dream work. Every day I live my dream and I have adopted the motto, “We advance toward our destiny when we encourage others to reach theirs,” and therefore, “Everyone Leads.”
IT’S SOMETHING WE OWE OURSELVES -- AND OUR COMMUNITIESThe idea of “everyone leads” is not just something demonstrated within the confines of non-profit organizations or direct community service. … << read more >>
A CERTAIN CHILDREN’S BOOK SAID IT WELL …We learned a long time ago that elephants, mice and camels – with one hump and with two – poop. Some poops are big, some poops are small and some poops are oddly-shaped. The bottom line, of course, is that while we all do it a little differently, everybody poops. … << read more >>
EVERYONE HAS THE ABILITY TO INFLUENCE"Everyone leads" speaks to the fact that each one of us has strengths and experiences from which to lead others in life. Our unique life stories create a lens for us to lead those in our circles of influence. … << read more >>
IT MEANS SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENSImagine the tremendous difference we all can make if we take the small step of changing our perspective and seeing the world and our actions through the lens of having personal accountability ... … << read more >>
BETTERING YOURSELF BY BETTERING YOUR COMMUNITYA leader is an ever evolving picture in my head. I have always admired leaders that exemplify the image of dedicated, empathetic, passionate community members. Leading is about being open and accepting that you will always be a learner who is striving toward better understanding. … << read more >>
REALIZING THE POWER OF MY VOICEIn some capacity everyone leads. Whether you are a leader in your family, workplace, community, or church, you are a leader. … << read more >>
USING MY EXPERIENCE TO HELP OTHER YOUNG DADSI was a teen father at the age of 16. I wasn’t as involved as I should have been as a father. In 2007 I was kicked out of different schools for minor offenses and I ended up at a charter school that allowed me to get my academics together. … << read more >>
TAKING THE LESSONS YOU LEARN BACK HOMEI was raised in a very traditional Latino family. In my community, even though we pride ourselves on our diversity, being gay was not acceptable. … << read more >>
IT’S THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOUTo Marc, "everyone leads" means that the person sitting next to you has the potential to make a difference in your life. You can read more about Marc in chapter 5 of the book. … << read more >>
OUTGROWING OUTDATED IDEAS ABOUT LEADERSHIPGrowing up, I assumed leaders had certain traits and qualities that I didn't seem to have. … << read more >>
IT’S EVERYDAY INFLUENCETo Ebony, everyday influence -- in your family, in the board room, at work -- can be a powerful way to lead. You can read more about Ebony in chapter 6 of the book. … << read more >>
I listened to a wonderful lecture that Mr. Paul Schmitz gave to me and fellow students at Carroll University on leadership, and if I were to sum up that message, it would be something like this: Leadership is action, not position. … << read more >>
