Do you think some people are more suited to leadership than others? Well, if we focus on professional positions within companies and organisations, we might have a discussion about the answers. Leadership in the context of leading others may spark some different views and opinions about what makes a "good" leader.

For many years I have experienced leadership in the work space. As a military officer at the Royal Dutch Navy I have had the opportunity to take a deep dive into what being a leader truly means. I have been trained to become a leader and I had the opportunity to develop my leadership skills. As a government official I have discovered what leadership means in a "civilian" organisation, much like in a business company, and how to define the difference between leadership and being a manager. As a Member of the Dutch Parliament I have experienced mostly what I don't believe leadership is. This was maybe the most valuable lesson I've ever had in understanding, embracing and recreating my leadership.

As a coach and trainer I have gained a refreshing new look on the meaning of leadership. In my own personal development journey - especially during my time in politics - I have (re)discovered my purpose in life. Why am I here? Who am I? What do I desire in life? And what do I want to experience before I die? In this journey I went all the way back to the essence of leadership: leading my own life.

Leading your life means understanding your authenticity. It means consciously choosing to live your life as your authentic self. That's leading your life and that's what I call being an authentic leader. Every single human being is a natural leader, just because of the simple fact that you are leading a life- whether you are conscious or unconscious about it. The choice to lead others to discover, understand and embrace their authenticity and to claim their leadership, is the next step one might discuss if this is something some people are more suited to do. That's what leadership in the work space is about. Better said, should be all about.

Nowadays we still see the lack of understanding what authentic leadership means. In other words, a clear view on what leadership in the first place is or should be about. Most people see great leaders as those who manage to create followers. While someone's ability to create new leaders should be the true measurement. After all my experiences, I truly believe a leader’s most important job is to connect people to their authenticity, leading by example. 

Authentic leadership is the key. The key that's is available to all of us. And that some of us effectively know how to share, so more of us use this key. The key to all changes we desire, in all areas of our lives - private, work, societal and as humanity.

What does leadership mean to you? Leave me a message in the comment section below, I’d love to hear from you.

- W.