Anyone can be a leader. From the guy in the entry level position all the way to the experienced CEO, every person has the ability to lead. But what separates the ordinary leader from the extraordinary one? There are three words that permeate the best of the best; love, trust, and serve. And please understand, the greatest leaders not only act on these words every day, but they also have the ability to get their followers to act on them as well.
LOVE
Extraordinary leaders love. They have a genuine desire to care for the people around them. This is more than just mentioning it every once in a while, it's living it out on a daily basis.
Loving your followers is active and if you are doing a good job at it, the people you lead will actively love you back.
TRUST
Extraordinary leaders trust. They spend countless hours building trust by showing compassion and caring for those around them. They allow their followers to fail and use those situations as teaching opportunities to grow.
When the people you lead feel confidence from you as their leader, they in turn will trust you and run through a wall for you.
SERVE
Extraordinary leaders serve. They constantly look for opportunities to put others needs in front of their own. They understand that if they want to be the best leader they can be then they must serve their people.
There will rarely be a time when serving others is convenient, but as a leader you must do it. When you put the needs of others first, others will serve you and the team in ways you could never imagine.
No matter where you find yourself in the chain of command, you have the opportunity to love, trust, and serve those around you. Stop being an "ordinary" leader. Make the choice to be extraordinary today!