Hard to say no to others or to yourself?  You know…that voice inside you enticing you to dip your toe in to test the waters.  Do you want that promotion?  Or are others putting on the pressure and telling you to go after it?  Will the new position bring you a lifestyle you’d like or quality of life you’d love?

I recently had a conversation with one of my clients who was struggling with being pressured to compete for a position in leadership.  True, more often than not we talk about “How can I ace that job?” rather than “I’m being pressured to try for that position but I’m not sure I really want it and all it entails” conversation.

Not everyone wants to manage a huge staff and be accountable for them.  Some are perfectly happy with producing great work and not having to lead, delegate and keep track of others.  Those staffers are just as important as their leaders as all organizations need people to do great work, be happy at work and not be stressed to the nines when a management  component is heaped on top of the rest.  Choosing to not take that promotion shouldn’t impact your career path.  Some organizations frown upon people who decide to stay in their current jobs because we live in an age when bouncing around from job to job is the norm, not the exception.  You can still be a leader without having staff by leading by example, being known as a subject matter expert and recognizes as the ‘go-to’ person for expertise.

Leaders are found at every level and position.  You know they’re leaders because you want to follow them “just because”, not because their role dictates it.

“Leadership is action, not position.” - Donald H. McGannon

So how are you going to be leader for yourself?  Strange question I know.  Many of us are so hell bent on being great leaders to those we work with, our kids and colleagues that we forget to look at whether or not we stand for what we believe in and help ourselves grow into our level of excellence.  What aren’t you paying attention to that you would be wise to consider in creating your own future?