There are measurable - even heroic - ways to bring leadership to everyday experience. I would argue that it’s our concept of what a leader must be that keeps us from “leading” more regularly.

Lead from wherever you are. There’s usually an opportunity.

For anyone in the throes of a young career, you probably hear “leadership” thrown around a lot, and that “leaders” represent the most valuable members of the team.

Many books and articles will tell you that learning how to “lead people” is one of the most important skills you can learn early in life - and that to lead will make you MVP in the workplace, as an entrepreneur - as a partner. It’s not untrue, but it’s not the whole story, either.

Welcome to “Becoming Invaluable,” a 4-week newsletter series designed specifically for young professionals. This may not be you (likely it isn’t), but I’m guessing you have a vested interest in a rising star who may be just the right audience.

“Who can own this?”

I ask this question of my own team as often as I ask my clients, because ownership is the gateway to results. I call them the G4 (4 components to getting goals.)

When great ideas, strategies or tactics come out of team meetings, the action plan required to produce the desired results is often left in the ether. This is where enthusiasm thrives and reality dies a slow death.

“Is there anything I hoped would be different a year ago… that is still the same today?”

If you’re human, you know that feeling that often accompanies the New Year- it’s a sense of potential and enthusiasm for a thing you thought would be true by now… but hasn’t become a reality in your life. Maybe it’s a new habit, relationship goal or business idea – could be anything.