BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD!

Last week, my leadership team and I impacted the lives of hundreds of student leaders from thirty-three different campuses at the 6th Annual Circle of Change Leadership Conference.

Inspired by the courageous acts of many student leaders at the University of Missouri, we used this powerful story to inspire our student leaders to make the world a better place. We reminded them about the power of their voice and that you can make an impact in the world as a leader without celebrity status, a social media fan base, or a specific title behind your name. Although celebrity status, social media fan base, or a title behind your name can enhance your ability at making the world a better place, the recent events show us that none of these are required to serve as an effective leader of the 21st Century and make a positive impact in our community, nation, or world.

In my opening keynote, I shared with student leaders at the Circle of Change Leadership Conference four foundational questions that I believe every emerging and seasoned leader must consider if they are going to make the world a better place. As we embark on the final days of 2015, I hope these questions will help you position yourself to lead and make the world a better place in 2016.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR ASSIGNMENT?

The first question I believe we must all ask ourselves if we are going to make the world a better place is, “Do you know your assignment?” As a leader, are you clear about the cause/purpose that you are passionate about and gifted to impact as leader.

I believe this question is so important to understand because most leaders who have positively made an impact in the world discovered a cause/purpose they were very passionate about and have the talent and strengths necessary to make an impact in this specific area.

This is why every emerging or seasoned leader who desires to make a positive impact in the world must be clear about their specific assignment.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR TRIBE?

The second question I believe we must all ask ourselves if we are going to make the world a better place is, “Do you know your tribe?” Have you surrounded yourself with a group of people who a have a positive attitude, want the best for you, and truly believe in you? Do they share similar values, have a similar purpose, and a similar vision to impact the world?

I believe this question is so important to understand because every leader who desires to make an impact in the world will be affected by the people they decided to surround themselves with. You will only become as great as the people that you decide to make part of your leadership team. I was so inspired when a student told me, “History is not made by individual leaders, it’s made by the people the leader surrounds themselves with.”

Therefore, if someone is going to make an impact in the world, they must have a solid tribe behind them.

DO YOU HAVE A HEART OF GOLD?

The third question I believe we must all ask ourselves if we are going to make the world a better place is, “Do you have a heart of gold?” Do you have a heart of service, a spirit of humility, and an ability to lead others with love?

I believe this question is so important to understand because every leader who has truly made an impact in the world was able to do so because they led with a heart to serve their people, were focused more on the task and people they served verses themselves, and were anchored in love for a people and cause they truly believed in.

Therefore, as emerging and seasoned leaders who desire to make the world a better place, it is vitally important that we ALL have a heart of gold and are ready to serve others over yourself.

DO YOU HAVE COURAGEOUS FAITH?

The fourth question I believe we must all ask ourselves if we are going to make the world a better place is, “Do you have a courageous faith?” Do you have an ability to think, speak, and act in a positive manner despite the challenges that stand in the way?

I believe this question is so important to understand because every leader who desires to make an impact in the world will have to express courageous faith at some point in their journey towards making the world a better place. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s said, “Faith is the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Therefore, as emerging and seasoned leaders who desire to make the world a better place, it is vitally important that we ALL make sure that we have built up the faith necessary to truly make the impact that we desire to see in the world!

Previous Page