Who among us is a born leader?

I am taking a web-based training course with other leaders from my Unitarian Universalist congregation and in our district on nurturing growth in congregations.  This week we discussed the importance of leadership to growth of our congregations and the question was posed, "Who among us is a born leader?"  Silence.  Why is that?  Everyone in the program is a leader - probably born leaders.  Are we just modest and don't want to say it out loud?  Are we afraid someone will ask us to do ONE MORE THING!

I'm a born leader.  Not something I say out loud much, if at all.  I credit my niece Katie and her Facebook entries with reminding me it's OK to set modesty aside to say this.  How do I know this?  For as long as I can remember, even as a young child, people have come to me for perspective.   People say "when she speaks, people listen."  I'm dependable and committed to those efforts I choose to lead or engage in.   Integrity is one of my "absolute" values that guides me in my day-to-day life.  I love the big picture - envisioning the future - and I'm good at assimilating various perspectives and data into something people can understand.  I try hard to listen to others and consider their points of view. And for whatever reason, I seem to like to take on crazy challenges - at work, at play, at church.  There are some aspects of leadership that are not innate for me - risk taking, mental toughness, and conflict management to name a few - and I'm working on them.  I have my attachments which can get in the way of good leadership - like wanting to be right.  Like everyone, I have lots of room for personal growth.

At church, as in my life outside of church, I am influenced by many wonderful people.  They are leaders, too, although some of them don't know it.  They are young and old alike, in positions of leadership and self-proclaimed followers.  They are our youth and our children.   They are our ministers, our staff and our volunteers.  They are on our Board and in our pews.  THEY SHOW UP.  They are diverse in their beliefs yet share a common faith and passion for making a difference in our world - however small it may seem.

Are you a leader?  I'm guessing you are.  And our congregation needs you and your unique skills and passions.  Together we can make such a difference for so many people.

Thank you for showing up.

In faith,

Nancy