I have been a student of leadership for many years! In my roles as a consultant, coach, and speaker, I have been able to see the inner workings of many teams, companies, and organizations in sports, business, and life and discern what makes them successful and, in some cases, what causes their demise. Leadership and teamwork are typically the key components that are essential for great organizations to thrive.

I am often asked about my favorite quote or definition of leadership. While there are many different definitions that I like, one of my favorites is by speaker and author Kevin Cashman who defines leadership as: “Authentic self-expression that creates value.” The reason I like this definition is that it is not “title-based.” I think many people think of a leader as the person at the top of an organization chart, which can be true. But, I believe leadership begins with influence. If you have influence, you are a leader, and every one of us has influence to make either a positive or negative difference in the lives of other people. We influence others through the words we say and the actions we take.

To really understand any good definition or quote, I find it helpful to break it down into parts:

• “Authentic” – Great leaders are authentic in their words and actions. They don’t try to be someone that they are not, and they play to their strengths. Also, the best leaders are sincere in their interactions with other people. They truly care about others, and their actions come from a servant leader’s heart.
• “Self-Expression” – Great leaders express themselves. Regardless if they are in a formal role of leadership or just part of a high performing team, the best leaders express themselves through words and actions to make a significant contribution to the team and its goals. They don’t just sit on the sidelines. They “get in the game” and are present physically, mentally, and emotionally. They know their role and perform it well, and their contribution activates the presence and contribution of others.
• “That Creates Value” – The goal of the best leaders is to create value. For a large company, it could be employee and shareholder value. For a family, it could be encouragement, direction, guidance, and impact. For a sports team, it could be growth, contribution, wins, and success. I have witnessed many types of leadership in a variety of organizations. Some leaders have created value, while others have left a wake of destruction in their path. The leaders who create the most value with their position, role, influence, and platform typically have a daily goal of making the most of their moments and seeking to make a positive difference every day.

When you dissect this definition of leadership, you learn that you must have all 3 components to be a great leader of influence and impact. Some leaders can express themselves but may or may not be authentic in their approach, and the net effect is less than optimal. Other leaders may be authentic, but they never express themselves, and, therefore, never create value for themselves, their team, and their organization. Finally, leaders may be authentic and express themselves, but they lead in such a way that is detrimental to the success of their team members, thereby destroying the opportunity to influence others for the common good.

As you think about your roles in life and the opportunities that you have every day to lead and influence others, consider this definition as a foundational starting point for your leadership impact. Choose today to authentically express yourself in order to create value for you, your team, and your organization!