“The biggest gap lies between what we know and what we do,” says Jason Hunt, this week’s speaker on February 1, 2018. Hunt has a background in the education system as a principal of a junior high school. Through sharing his person story of becoming a leader in education, he shared his opinion of what leadership really is.
One insight that Hunt shared is that leadership is not about titles or positions; rather that influence is necessary to create followers. Five steps to being a great leader according to Hunt are as follows:
- Give people your ear, be a good listener
- Give people your praise
- Give them a responsibility, not a delegation. Empower somebody and help them to grow in their own abilities
- Give them confidence
- Give them you. Let go of your ego and your personal desires and help others accomplish.
Change does not happen through an event; it happens gradually. Above all, be engaged and be someone who cares. The influence necessary to gain followers is much more easily created when there is a charismatic human being to follow. In the words of Hunt, “good times we put in our pockets and the hard times we put in our hearts.” Our experiences and personality contribute to the leadership potential we all possess.