Leadership Mantra

"Leadership is action not position."

Noticed this beautiful quote on the wall of a multiplex in Mumbai. It succinctly sums up the essence of leadership.

Very often people complain that they were unable to bring about change because they didn't have the authority or the position to execute. Perhaps this is the biggest excuse for avoiding action. The truth is that anyone, irrespective of position and authority, can practice leadership. Leadership is all about action and action is neither big nor small. True leadership is about taking action for what one feels is right. It starts with self and gradually influences the surrounding. It's like an expanding circle, starting from the center (you) and gradually moving outward to increase the circle of influence to lead more and more people to desired action.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Great leadership always starts with personal leadership - action guided by a vision. Every action creates a ripple of change. More the action, the more ripples of change are formed to influence larger and larger mass of people. But everything starts with an action just like a long journey starts with a single step.

Even if you are a nobody, you must act. Embrace action to lead yourself to your vision. Sooner than later, the world will follow you. Lead the world by leading yourself through action.