I would like to share with you a story, one that is based on Leadership. As many facets as there are to leadership, I believe that there is a leader in all of us. There is a leader in all of you.

Many years back, after speaking at a leadership forum, a colleague approached me; she was then a Merchandising Manager. A question she raised was how she could be a good leader if she lacked the charisma. “I’m not a CEO like you Dian”, she commented.

I asked her one question – “Are you a good mother?”
She replied with a Yes. I told her that’s all that counts.

She was a hard worker, focused on her higher education, all the while taking care of her children, driving them for classes during weekends, being there for them. Gradually she became part of the Senior Leadership of the organization. Her children graduated, and I was invited for her daughter’s wedding.

As I reminisced the question she asked me many years back, I was proud to see all that she had achieved. I told her “maybe you were not a CEO back then, but in life, you have conquered what matters the most.”

Leaders inspire and direct with integrity and courage, but most of all, leaders make decisions that they would be held responsible for the rest of their lives. Here was a clear definition of one type of leader that I grew to respect through the years. She led her children as a mother, she led her team as a confidante, and ultimately won in the journey of life.

Yes indeed. There is a leader in all of us. There is a leader in all of you.