“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote from Emerson gives us pause to think about the course of our lives. On the one hand, we look to people to guide and lead us; on the other hand, people look to us for direction. So, it seems that inspiration is a two-way street.

“The leader finds the dream and then the people. The people find the leader and then the dream.”

John Maxwell maintains that the essence of leadership is influence. Consider the many leadership roles you hold and the people you influence on a daily basis. You may lead a team of professionals in the marketplace, perhaps you challenge a group to become more socially responsible and support a worthy cause, you might facilitate nurturing new ideas or understanding, or maybe you’re responsible for keeping a household running smoothly. Whatever role you play, recognize that what you model, the ways you inspire and influence others, may not only be the key to your success but might be the catalyst for others to feel secure and grow, as well.

Those within our sphere of influence are nurtured by our ability to inspire and lead well. Every one of us has dreams. Let’s be intentional about sharing those dreams, as well as becoming the leader others desire to follow.