The Leaders You Know

Many people think that leaders are people who do big things, inspire companies or even countries, or have some major impact on the world. Maybe you think of Steve Jobs, Gandhi, or Nelson Mandela. These people perhaps worked to make changes felt the whole world over. But there are billions of other people who make a difference in the lives of others.

These are everyday leaders who make a difference in the life of one person at a time. They brighten the corner of their world and, when they die, perhaps no one will remember them. Their motives are just to be kind. Their actions can, however, cause others to behave differently. One man had no family with whom he could spend Thanksgiving. He was very lonely. So, he decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner at his home and invite twelve strangers to join him. After a few years, he rented a dining hall and eighty-four people came.

Just kind words you say to one person at a time may make the biggest difference. Even something as simple as a sincere compliment can lead to a chain of kindness. The person you compliment may feel happy enough to spend a minute helping a stranger and that chain may continue uninterrupted.

To be a leader at any given moment, it takes a willingness to speak up or stand up for whatever matters most to you. You make a commitment to making a difference and to acting kind. It may not always be easy, but it really can be that simple.