Carla Jefferson’s Post

Leadership isn’t about titles or authority—it’s about the energy you bring, the actions you take, and the example you set. Great leaders: Stay calm under pressure, because teams reflect their leader’s mindset. Listen more than they speak, understanding the wisdom in silence. Observe what others miss and act with intention, letting results speak for themselves. True leadership is measured in influence, trust, and impact. These 8 principles serve as a daily reminder: Leadership starts with you. Which of these principles do you find the most powerful?

What does visionary leadership mean? Anybody? Yes Please! Okay, what I think is It's simple, being the leader means you have been placed in a position to serve others. You are privileged to be in a position where you can direct, shape, and focus people's potential toward a specific result. When you are given the " responsibility to lead " - you are given a tremendous opportunity to influence many - " people's lives positively, a responsibility you should never take for granted" Here the most important parts come & what's that! When you were made a leader, you weren't given a "crown ", you were given the " responsibility " to bring out the best in others. The best leaders are abundant, growth-oriented, and focused on bringing out the best in others by seeing opportunities rather than focusing on mistakes. I know few leaders who truly excel in their leadership skills and know how to bring out the best in others. 

The strength and weakness of a company is demonstrated through its leadership. Strong leaders allow the best ideas of their entire team to flourish, creating the pathway to greater success. Weak leaders allow politics to win the day, accelerating the pathway to failure and self destruction.

"Leadership is like building a house. The rain will come down, the streams will rise, and the winds will blow, but a house built on a rock will not fall. Self-belief and self-confidence are the rocks that anchor a leader's foundation. When subordinates, clients, and service providers push you to your limits, you can only rise to the occasion if you are firm in your self-confidence. A strong foundation of self-belief enables leaders to weather the storms of challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient." Remember, leadership is not for the faint of heart. It requires courage, resilience, and a deep sense of self-confidence to inspire and motivate others, make tough decisions, and navigate uncertain terrain. By building a strong foundation of self-belief, leaders can overcome obstacles and achieve their vision.

Confident leadership isn’t just about stepping into a role; it’s built on a foundation of personal development. Through self-awareness, resilience and emotional intelligence, leaders grow into their confidence, learning from both successes and setbacks. Setting personal growth goals, seeking feedback and cultivating a growth mindset all contribute to this journey. Confident leaders who continuously develop themselves are better equipped to connect authentically with their teams, make sound decisions and inspire trust. In essence, confident leadership starts from within, with a commitment to personal growth and self-reflection. https://lnkd.in/g3vjV4bm

How much practice does it take to become a great leader?   One of my favorite books on Leadership is The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John Maxwell. He writes that becoming a better leader is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. This is because leadership is complicated and there are several facets. It reminds me of a gemstone, especially one that is cut, it has many sides.   "There are several facets to leadership: respect, experience, emotional strengths, people skills, discipline, vision, momentum, timing, the list is endless. As you can tell, leadership is intangible, like self-confidence and responsibility, you cannot touch them, but you can develop them from the inside out. That’s why leaders require so much seasoning to be effective" (2022, p. 30).

Leaders who understand that leading others is a privilege also know that no one is an expert in everything. Instead, the most influential businesses are built by a team committed to helping the organization achieve its vision and purpose. According to Brian Scudamore, I've learned that strong leaders don't fight to have the first and last word. Instead, they listen to their teams, ask the right questions, and allow everyone to contribute. Why do so many leaders seem to forget that leading others more than anything else should be held in reverence? You are privileged to be in a position where you can direct, shape, and focus the potential of people toward a specific result. Remember, leadership is all about people, inspiring people to believe that the impossible is possible, developing and building people to perform at heights they never imagined. It's all about inspiring your team to become the very best version of themselves. When you understand that, your company will become one of the best in the world. ~ Leadership First ~

General Colin Powell on the essence of leadership: Trust. People will follow you, despite whatever challenges they face, if they trust you. Leaders earn trust by providing a clear mission and values, and the necessary resources and support needed to get the job done. Leaders take the risks alongside their teams. Amen to that.

Great leaders inspire us to take action. As Simon Sinek says, "Leadership is not about the next election, it's about the next generation" (Start with Why). The most effective leaders don't just focus on the bottom line - they start with the 'why' and inspire people to believe in the greater purpose. As Sinek explains, "People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it" (Start with Why). True leadership is about connecting with people on an emotional level and giving them a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves. So, be the kind of leader that sparks inspiration and makes others feel safe to innovate. As Sinek encourages, "The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen" (Leaders Eat Last). Lead with purpose, and the rest will follow."