“People are often led to causes and often become committed to great ideas through persons who personify those ideas. They have to find the embodiment of the idea in flesh and blood in order to commit themselves to it.”– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I just returned from Orlando, Florida, after five transformative days at the International Maxwell Conference. It wasn’t just the excitement of being in a room full of Maxwell Leadership Certified Team members from around the globe, it was about a deep commitment to upleveling my personal leadership so I can serve others effectively. After all, no one can give what they do not have.
Earn Your Leadership Every Day
Basketball legend Michael Jordan, who not only popularized the NBA around the world but also set the standard for what it means to be a leader, reminds us: “Earn your leadership every day.” This isn’t about fleeting moments of inspiration, it’s a daily, intentional embrace of growth.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvements, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Every day offers a new opportunity to invest in yourself and build the foundation for genuine leadership.
Investing in Your Personal Growth
Unlocking personal leadership is not a side project or a casual pastime; it demands your quality time and unwavering commitment. True leadership begins from within. Every external change starts with internal transformation. The spectacular results that inspire others to follow come from unspectacular yet deliberate personal preparation. For me, that means diving into ten different books every day, fueling my mind with diverse insights and continuous self-improvement.
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
Personal growth isn’t comfortable, it takes you out of your comfort zone, where real development happens. It’s not about coercion or manipulation; it’s about earning the right to lead by consistently producing meaningful results. As my mentor, Dr. John Maxwell, wisely observes: “Respect is earned on a difficult ground.”
This difficult ground is not just about solving problems; it’s about leading yourself well. When you lead yourself with discipline and purpose, you earn the credibility to lead others effectively.
A Legacy of Courage and Conviction
Consider the journey of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His personal leadership was rooted in an unwavering belief in justice, equality, and freedom. Despite threats and violence, he led with courage, keeping his dream alive even in the darkest moments. His vision of racial equality wasn’t born from a crowd, it started with a personal commitment to live his values, no matter what the cost. Dr. King’s inner conviction and relentless self-discipline turned his personal mission into a powerful national movement.
True leadership starts with the inner person. It’s about preparing yourself—often in unspectacular ways—so that when you step into the spotlight, your leadership is as inspiring as it is effective. Let’s continue this journey of growth together. Stay tuned… there’s so much more to come! [To be continued next week].
