Leadership Is Not a Title — It's a Way of Being

When we hear the word leadership, it's easy to imagine it as something distant, something reserved for those with official titles: politicians, CEOs, doctors, teachers. Leadership often feels like a formal "thing" a structured role with responsibilities attached to status or hierarchy. But this view is narrow and, frankly, restrictive.

Leadership, at its core, is much more fluid. It’s less about the title you hold and more about how you show up in the world. Whether we realise it or not, each of us leads in some way, every single day.

Think about it: the parent who guides their child through life's firsts. The hospital porter who, with compassion and efficiency, helps people in vulnerable moments. The community member who rallies neighbours together to solve a local issue. These acts may not come with ceremonies or corner offices, but they are powerful demonstrations of leadership all the same.

Our roles may differ. What (or who) we are responsible for might look nothing alike. Yet, the ability to lead whether by example, through influence, or simply by being present and accountable — is a thread that connects us all.

Leadership is not reserved for the chosen few. It is an innate capacity we each carry, whether or not we are conscious of it. That consciousness is key. Because when we aren't aware of our leadership, we risk giving it away. We risk delegating our autonomy to politicians, to teachers, to medical practitioners or or anyone else, forgetting that, ultimately, leadership begins with us. Yes, these professionals have important roles. But they do not, and should not, carry the full weight of society’s leadership alone.

Every individual has a responsibility to lead in their own sphere to take ownership of their actions, their influence, and their accountability. It’s about recognising that how we treat others, how we speak up (or remain silent), how we nurture our families, how we contribute to our communities — these are all acts of leadership.

True leadership is not about control or authority; it is about service, stewardship, and presence. It's about showing up with intention, no matter the stage or audience.

Imagine what could change if more of us owned our leadership consciously. If we stopped waiting for someone "in charge" to fix things and instead embraced our ability to influence the spaces we inhabit.

Leadership is not a job title. It’s a way of being.

And it starts with you.