What Defines True Leaders

In our fast-paced world, we’re constantly inundated with information and noise, making it easy to get lost in rhetoric and to forget about the importance of deliberate and decisive action.

Words certainly hold tremendous power. They can inspire, motivate and heal, but when it comes down to it, if there’s no follow-through, they’re simply sounds.

Actions, on the other hand, are what set true leaders and positive-difference makers apart. They’re what we do when no one is watching, when we’re faced with adversity, when the going gets tough and the path forward is uncertain.

If someone promises to take action but never follows through, how much weight do their words actually carry? Very little.

If someone leads by example and consistently demonstrates reliability, trustworthiness and commitment through his/her actions, they’ll cultivate an environment and culture of trust, buy-in and productivity.

“I often say if you watch a person’s actions, you don’t have to listen to their words,” motivational speaker Inky Johnson recently said. “They are going to tell you everything you need to know. You watch a person’s example in spite of what they say.”

“So character becomes what you do, what you say, and how you live your life becomes one. It’s the same frequency. You can hear them say something, you can see them do it and you can watch the example.”

Of course, this requires discipline, dedication, courage and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones. But the rewards can be immense. How we do anything in life becomes a manifestation of how we do everything.

As we embark on today, let’s strive to do three things:

1. Be change agents whose actions match our words
2. Lead by example
3. Make a positive difference in the spaces we navigate

Remember, true leaders aren’t defined by their words, but by the actions they take — and the lives they transform each step of the way.