Everyday Leadership

 Hi there! Welcome back to another blog post. This topic might be my favorite so far.

This week, I had the opportunity to watch a Ted Talk titled “Everyday Leadership.” The speaker, Drew Dudley, says that leadership has been made into “changing the world,” when really, leadership is simply done every day (Dudley, 2010). Leadership is spearheading efforts contributing to ending world hunger, and leadership is seeing a nervous look on a classmate’s face before a test and reminding them, “you can do it!” The first form of leadership is huge, requiring lots of effort and hard work. The second form of leadership is small, requiring three simple words. Both forms of leadership are worth recognition and celebration, all the same. Whether intentional or not, everyone has led someone in one way or another. Without realizing, you may be the reason someone had a good day, or you may be someone’s greatest inspiration. 

Dudley tells a story about a time when he influenced a student to stay and attend school, even after she convinced herself she was not ready. Dudley had no idea the girl had just decided she was going to leave and not begin classes. Dudley also had no idea that his brief interaction with her changed her mind entirely, encouraging her to succeed in school for the next four years. The interaction between Dudley and the student was as simple as him making a joke, causing people around them to share laughter. It was a moment so insignificant to his life that he did not even remember it. On the other hand, it was a moment so impactful to the girl’s life that she would remember it forever. 

This Ted Talk stuck out to me because I believe that everyone has had a moment similar to the one Dudley shares. Most likely, someone has told you something that made you feel on top of the world or brightened your day. Likewise, you have been the person to positively influence someone else, whether you realized it or not. There have been many times in my life when someone has said or done something that has stuck with me forever. Because of this, I know that I have had that impact on others too. It is important to realize the impact your words and actions have on another person. Everyone has the power to change another person’s life, or even just their day, in a positive way. So, why not do it? It’s easy to be an everyday leader by being intentional with others.

When I was a sophomore in college, I really looked up to all the seniors in my sorority. I thought they were awesome, fun and always so well-spoken. I did not know many of them personally, so I assumed not many of them knew who I was or paid much attention to me. Right before the seniors graduate, it is tradition for members of the sorority to write farewell letters to the seniors, and for the seniors to write to their close friends. To my surprise, one of the girls I always admired wrote me a letter. The letter was super short and simple, but had one line that I read over and over again. It read “You are a really good person-everyone around you notices that.” I found this so thoughtful. For her to have taken the time to write me a letter made me feel so special. On top of that, for her to have noticed the way other people feel about me showed me that I was less in the shadows than I originally thought. Had my efforts been noticed by people who I thought hardly knew who I was? It was a simple, yet eye-opening moment for me. It inspired me to pay attention to the people who I did not know so well and take note of how awesome they were. 

Two years later when I was a senior writing farewell letters, I made it my mission to write to people who I was not very close with. Especially people who would not be expecting a letter from me. I remembered how someone made the effort to make me feel special, and I wanted to do the same. I wanted others to feel recognized, just like I felt. I did my best to write thoughtful letters to people who I may not have been close friends with, but who I knew were good people and members of the sorority. While writing each letter, I did my best to think of specific things I admire about them, and included it in the letter. A few of the girls who I wrote to thanked me for the letter and told me they loved it. It made me feel good knowing that I made people feel special. I hope this happy cycle continues for years to come. 

Along with having conversations, everyday leadership can be done nonverbally. This can take place through acts of kindness and doing good deeds. When you act in a way that benefits your community or surroundings, it is likely that someone noticed and became inspired by you. For example, when you are heading to your car after work and notice a piece of trash in the parking lot, pick it up and throw it away. The person leaving behind you may have seen you and now feels motivated to do the same. The same thing goes for holding the door for someone, picking up something that someone else dropped, and helping someone with their hands full. These people may feel good and do it for someone else. You never know when you could be the one who starts a chain reaction of leadership and kindness. 

Everyday leadership does not have to be done with people who have titles or authority. Other research on everyday leadership shows that it is more about the activity at hand, rather than what a formal title says you are (Riggo, 2020). There are many people who are great leaders in social and work environments who hold no position. These people can lead by suggesting a project idea, mentoring others, speaking up for what they believe in, and volunteering. It does not take a formal position title to be able to do any of these things. When I was in high school, I was a member of the Student Government Association. As a member of the Student Government, each student was required to conduct an “individual project” in order to pass the class each semester. An individual project was any project that would benefit the school or community, such as organizing a canned food drive, feeding the homeless, or picking up trash on campus. No matter if you had a position within SGA, all members had the opportunity to be leaders through their individual projects. 

As I learned this week, to be a leader, you do not have to hold a position of authority or be in charge of a huge event. Leadership can be small acts of everyday leadership, such as brightening someone’s day or lending a hand. All you have to do is be intentional and thoughtful towards others. Even when you think your efforts are going unnoticed, there is most likely someone paying attention and appreciating you. You never know when something you do or say will leave a lasting impression on someone else and inspire them to lead as well. 

Thanks for reading!

Maiya Sokol

References

Dudley, D. (2010, September). Everyday leadership. Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership | TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership

Riggio, R. E. (2020, September 5). What is everyday leadership and why does it matter?. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/202009/what-is-everyday-leadership-and-why-does-it-matter