So…you want to be a leader, huh?

Well guess what? If you live in an area where folks younger than you are living, you’re already in a leadership position. How are you handling it? Doing well?

Don’t believe me? It’s true. Check this out:

In your area, everyone younger than you are already watching you, watching how you live your life, how you act and react to the situations you come up against – and they are using you for an example of how to live their own lives.

How do I know this?

I have kids – and I have siblings and relatives who live near us. Many times, one or another of my kids have come to me and said, “Mama, Uncle So-and-So said such-and-such. Is it true?”

Then, there are the times one of the kids would say things like, “Hey Mama, Aunt Such-and-such said she’s gonna ____. Can I do it too?” So I know they’re watching and listening, even when those being watched and heard don’t know.

You’d be surprised how many times I’ve had a chat with my younger siblings to remind them to pay attention, to remind them to watch what they say, to explain, out loud, when they’re kidding, and when they don’t really mean what they’ve said (kids don’t always get it).

I also ask them to remember when they’re talking about things they’ve done that they regret to say they regret having done it. I ask them to remember these things because I know others around them are learning by their example.

So I remind them (and myself), kindly and gently, that we need always to put forth a good example because their kids are watching. And so are mine.

Not to mention the other young folks in our area who are also watching all the older folks – and they do so without announcing the fact. They watch you “under the radar,” so to speak, without you ever really being aware of it – unless you’re also watching them and paying attention.

Not one of them will come up to you and say, “Hey, I’ve been watching you to learn how to be a good mother when I grow up” or “Hey, I learned to take having a job seriously from you” to the elders of their area, but this is where they learn it.

You won’t hear someone say, “I learned to use drugs from my next door neighbor,” or “I learned to beat my wife from my Uncle Fred,” unless they’ve already become one of the “older folks” in their area, and have learned some tough lessons from aping their chosen elder, but it’s the truth.

Kids do learn how to be adults by watching the older people (meaning people older than them) in their surrounding area, and then following their lead.

Knowing this, you should always strive to put forth an example of excellence because you’re already in a position of leadership. You know it and I know it. But it’s not just the kids who are watching you. Other adults watch as well, and many times, will follow your lead. People tend to do what they see others doing. It’s a psychological thing.

The question to ask yourself is this: are you being an example you’d be proud to have others emulate?

Are you living your life as the type person you’d be delighted to see others become? If you’re not sure, here are my best tips for being a successful leader…

Don’t expect from or ask others to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself.

Your followers are always watching you. Asking them to do something you yourself would not do invites insubordination.

The question, “Why should I?” would come up because your followers have not yet seen you do this thing you are asking of them – therefore they have no example to follow, and probably feel a bit of fear at being asked to delve into the unknown.

Besides, if you wouldn’t do it, if for some reason you feel a chore is beneath you, what right do you have to expect someone else to take care of it for you? None. You should never expect another person to do that which you are unwilling to do yourself.

If you are unable, that’s a different story, but unwillingness is not unable. Remember that, and you will do well as a leader.

Don’t be an “all watch and no do” leader – do things WITH your followers.

People don’t mind doing things “with” someone else. But they do mind doing things “for” others when those others won’t “do” for themselves.

This goes partly back to number one above. To combat the possible mutiny of followers seeing a leader who is “all talk and no action,” make sure you are out there in the trenches beside them, getting your fingers dirty right alongside your followers.

If folks see that not only are you willing to do what needs done, but that you are also already “doing” what needs to be done, they will be much happier to follow your lead. Why? Because they will feel that you know them.

You’re out there with them, day after day. You know their struggles, their hopes, their fears. You celebrate their accomplishments and mourn with them when there are failures. You’ll be a leader of the people and a people’s leader.

Reward good works.

Let your followers know you do recognize them, that you see what they’re doing, you understand what it takes for them to get out there and do the things that must be done, and that you also understand there’s no such thing as failure, but rather the successful discovery of which things do not work and they will work ever harder to please you.

People love to be recognized for doing good, for providing value. Reward those who show initiative, and they will show even more. Reward those who try against all odds, and they will continue to try and eventually win.

Pay attention/Listen to others – all opinions/perspectives are valuable

Followers are not stupid.

Many times, a follower will see things the person in the position of “leader” is not seeing. Therefore, leaders would be wise to listen to them. Doing so could mean the difference between success and failure.

The wise leader values all opinions/perspectives.

Be honest.

No follower will willingly continue to support a liar, if he or she knows dishonesty is being practiced. If a person cannot trust you, cannot believe you, they will not believe “in” you enough to follow your lead.

A great leader knows honesty will take you far in life, much farther than dishonesty ever could.

Without Followers there could be no Leaders.

It’s true. As a person who wishes to be in a position of leadership, this is something you would do well to remember. Followers are important. Without them, you would have no one to lead, and therefore, could never be a leader.

This being so, it makes sense that all leaders should act accordingly by actually caring about their followers. After all, the followers are the ones who raise you up to the position in which you aspire to be.

Good leaders generally give a major portion of the credit for their success as a leader to his or her followers, for without them, the undertakings of the leader would not have been possible.

So there you have it, my six best tips on how to succeed in leading others. I hope this has helped you. If you have any questions, pop them in the comments section below. I’ll answer as best I can.