Make a daily, and lasting impact

Most people, when truthfully speaking, will not place money as their number one reason for working at a place or business.  Studies show that other factors rise much higher, including:

• Being challenged as an individual
• Bringing value to others
• Opportunities to be promoted, ie, grow, expand responsibility or take on new things

I will summarize that this by saying people like to make an impact.  You, and me, want to know that what we do matters.  That our time, our efforts, our success is in seeing that others are helped, the organization moves forward and the mission is being accomplished.

So, then, why do so many people leave their jobs, or remain in jobs they are unhappy?  Why is our divorce rate at 50%?  Why is it that we tend to not feel appreciated or valued, and we constantly look for something else?  I am going to answer these questions by stating it is in YOUR hands, not someone else.  Stop looking for others to fix the problem and recognize that you have a path to fulfill, and it is in your power to do so.

There have been many discussions on levels of leaders, and those speak more to organizational qualities, or development qualities. I want to speak to your ultimate fulfillment in what you do, where you are in your life, and the constant building required from one stage to the next.  The key is to recognize that everyone is at different stages in their lives, so the amount of time to build from one stage to the next is unique.  Leadership, and living life, is in an individual process, and your pace will be specific to you. This entire book is dedicated to making a maximum impact and sustaining maximum growth.

I have broken down the path to daily and long term leadership into the following stages:

Stage 1:  Accept that you are a leader (everyone influences someone)
Stage 2:  Do the work for the benefit of others (you don't lead yourself)
Stage 3:  Make a positive impact, today, and every day (do the work)
Stage 4:  Measure the fruit produced and prepare for the next harvest (evaluation)
Stage 5:  Invest in others (give back by mentoring)

As you move up, you aren't neglecting the previous stage, just building upon each stage to continue your growth and your impact.