Leadership is Showing Up
Authors Note: This piece was originally published on my Medium account @jdyerwrites. I have since grown tired of that platform and am moving my writing solely back to Bear.
When I was a kid, I was an active Boy Scout (I often participated against my will, but when Grandma says participate, you participate). A significant part of scouting is community service. I didn’t see it at the time, but those youthful service activities were guiding me into how I would approach leadership in my career.
My Scout troop volunteered at food pantries, where we shelved canned goods and handed out food packages. We built handicap ramps on the homes of disabled and elderly individuals who could not afford the needed improvement. We even restored a worn-out bathroom at a public park. I learned practical skills, including budget management, painting, installing toilets, and using power tools.
More importantly, these activities provided me opportunities to learn hands-on management and leadership skills in a low-risk environment. We don’t all get these guided leadership opportunities as teens, but adults can find similar learning experiences by getting involved in their communities. Local boards, committees, faith organizations, and nonprofits are always looking for helping hands.
Leadership is Presence
If you Google “leadership presence,” you will get a list of ingredients on what is “required” to build leadership presence. Authenticity. Poise. Communication. Influence. Self-awareness. That all sounds nice, but how does one actually gain those skills to become an influential leader?
I was made a leader by getting involved. My library mentor pushed me out into the community just like my old Scout Master. I’ve learned that when you are consistently seen out in the community cooking pancakes at a church fundraiser, picking up trash at the local park during city-wide cleanup days, or just regularly showing up at business meetings, these experiences compound in people’s minds.
One does not have to lead these organizations to be a leader. Often, showing up consistently will set you apart as someone who can be trusted and relied upon. I’ve seen too many meetings delayed or cancelled due to flaky board members. When leaders choose to be a part of something, they show up. Over time, your consistent presence and participation will mark you as a leader.
Service to others is a powerful leadership tool. Action-based public service meets an immediate need in one’s community. These acts of leadership pay not just in the relationships we build, but also in opportunities, support, and trust-building.
Why Leadership Presence Matters
There are benefits to community service for aspiring leaders. Community service grows one’s credibility, increases community visibility, builds trust, and develops relationships. All of these things come together to form leadership presence. Relationships, community knowledge, credibility, and trust take time to build, but once developed, a leader can leverage that presence to inspire change.
Where to Get Involved
A quick trip to your local Chamber of Commerce website can provide you with an endless list of local nonprofits and community organizations that would love your help. Do you want to help kids? Be a CASA. Do you have a car and a few hours once a week? Deliver food to the homebound. Like plants? Get your hands dirty with a Master Gardener’s Club. Join a service-oriented civic group such as Lions International, Kiwanis, or Rotary. Do you go to church? There are endless opportunities for community service in churches.
If you need something tied to your profession, seek out volunteer opportunities through a professional association related to your field. I’ve served on awards committees, chaired roundtables, been on a professional development task force, and spoken at conferences. Participating does more than pad your resume; it builds relationships that bring opportunity and make your skills visible in real situations.
Getting involved is a time commitment, but that time investment is worth the benefit of building a strong leadership presence in one’s community and profession.
Final Thoughts
Presence turns into leadership by building trust and developing relationships. It costs time and energy to build, but that investment develops into leadership presence. When I was a kid in Boy Scouts, I didn’t know I was learning how to develop these skills through community service; I just thought I was making grandma proud. I may have done that, but I managed to learn so much more.
I’m Justin. I write about librarianship, leadership, public service, and books. If you found this piece relatable, leave me a like or send me an email. Subscribe if you want more of what’s bouncing around in my head. If you found this article helpful, consider buying me a coffee.