As much as I love travel, I'm loving being home too. Emptying the suitcase and getting back into a routine is wonderful, although I do miss having someone cook for me.

While I've been away, the seasons have changed, the sunsets are spectacular and the locals are happy to see me, as I am to see them.

As I unpacked my stuff, I too unpacked what I'd experienced. While it was fresh in my mind I reviewed the hand written notes I took from the conference I'd been a part of. And this week is an opportunity for me to write a little about one of the topics.

The result is two fold - I get to better understand what I learnt by sharing this with you and then you in turn may have the opportunity to then share with a friend. Everyone wins, 'yeay'' we love that!

What does leader mean?

I took a look at what the Oxford Dictionary says - a straight forward, no-frills answer.

LEADER
noun - the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country:
"the leader of a protest group" "a natural leader"
synonyms: chief - head - principle - boss - commander - captain ·

I appreciate the dictionary presents the top line description of a word although how often have you experienced a person in the leader position and it's just that - top line, with a 'do what I say' posture.

What do we look for in a leader?

We've all had experiences with people in leadership positions, including ourselves, either in business or at home with the family. So what is it that distinguishes a leader from a boss or a chief or the head of the household? How do we define a leader today?

For me it's when the leader is on purpose with their values, ahead of asking or expecting another to follow suit. It's a demonstration of and being true to oneself. Here's a few points on the leader who is on purpose.

A LEADER ON PURPOSE

When the leader stops buying their own excuses
Gets on with it whatever it is vs. giving up
Speaks from the heart to then speak their mind
Knows as a leader and to lead, they require another person to be present
Understands and respects empathy to better serve others
Has a point of view and expresses it
Understands they may piss off another person from time to time - 'oops'
Doesn't require permission to take a stand
Has the ability to confront a situation
Grants themselves the space to be

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader success is about growing others.”

— Jack Welsh

Authentic Self

Being our 'authentic self' is where leadership begins and the first person being led is ourselves. In some areas or our lives we lead naturally and in others we have the potential to shrink. Why is that? It's a combination of the negative thoughts and the pictures in our mind that create some version of a story that doesn't serve us. The alternate is to give ourselves the space to expand, to fully express ourselves.

Glance around at any of the successful and worldly identities we know and appreciate - Richard Branson, Oprah, Bill Gates to name a few. They are the purest form of demonstrating a leader on purpose, speaking their mind, showing vulnerability, never shrinking from making their point of view known, even if it's not in line with the popular vote.

We admire these people for speaking from their heart to express what's on their mind.

BE DO HAVE

These three words 'Be Do Have' are the guide and the magic comes when we respect the order. It's not Have Do Be, the order begins with 'who are we being'.

To be the Leader ask yourself 'Who am I Being' and what actions would I be Doing' to. Then the Have comes as a result of Be and Do. When the dice rolls and it's your turn to take the lead next, consider whether you're expanding or contracting, how it feels in your body and then decide to make the change. Transformation can take place in an instant.

I appreciate the opportunity to share a little of this concept with you. And if you're loving this post then I'd be grateful if you spread the 'good stuff' around to your network of friends, family and workmates or via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Till next week, make what you're doing matter :)