If you know me closely, you know, I’ve always thought of myself as the quiet one the one blending into the background, doing her thing, barely noticed.
But then, I read something today that made me stop mid-sip of my coffee (well, tea… let’s not romanticize my caffeine habits). It is just this little nugget I got from reading The Maxwell Daily 365…
“Sociologists tell us that even the most introverted individual will influence ten thousand other people during his or her lifetime.”
I sat there thinking, “Wait… me? Ten thousand?” I mean, sure, but hey I love a good one-on-one heart-to-heart or my occasional kitchen lectures when I’m in full cooking mode every now and then.
But the idea that I’ve somehow been quietly shaping someone’s day, someone’s choices, someone’s future well that’s both thrilling and mildly terrifying.
What got me was the realization that no one gets a free pass here. We’re all leaders in some areas, and followers in others, whether we realize it or not.
I’m sure you know that leadership isn’t just about a title or a corner office but rather it’s about influence.
But hey, maybe it’s that smile you gave a stranger on a bad day, the advice you casually dropped to a friend, or even the way you handle your own challenges that people are watching (without you ever knowing).
And here’s the kicker… Realising your potential as a leader is your responsibility.
No excuses, no blaming your introverted nature, no “but I’m just one person” excuse. You need to understand that someone, somewhere is actually looking up to you.
So now I’m wondering: What kind of influence am I putting out there? Am I leading with kindness, positivity, and purpose? Or am I just passively letting my actions or lack of them speak for me?
I’ll leave you with this: You don’t have to shout to be heard. Even in the quietest corners of your life, you’re influencing more people than you think. So, how will you lead today?
