Leadership is not just about ourselves. It's about spreading the word and bringing new leaders into the mix. But how can you spot leadership potential in others?

As John C. Maxwell says in his book titled, "What Successful People Know About Leadership", the single-most powerful way to achieve success is to find good people and help them grow.

This is true whether you're concerned with non-profit leadership or leadership in the for profit world.

Based on his forty years' of experience, John has learned to recognize leadership potential. As he reminds us in his book, people with leadership potential share seven exceptional characteristics:

1. Leaders are catalysts: They make things happen. If you notice exceptional results, look for the person behind the effort and chances are good you'll find a leader.
2. Leaders are influencers: Leadership is influence. It's not just about assigning tasks. Talented leaders inspire others by sharing their vision.
3. Leaders are relationship builders: Behind every talented leader, there is team of people believing in the cause. They do that because they trust the relationship. And they trust the relationship because it was built on a solid foundation.
4. Leaders are gatherers: Strong leadership is like a snowball rolling down the hill. The further it goes, the bigger it gets. Leaders continually build relationships and add to their team. This is because people are naturally drawn to their enthusiasm and integrity.
5. Leaders are value adders: A good leader doesn't just accomplish goals. A good leader looks for what else can be done to benefit the organization and the people on the team.
6. Leaders are opportunists: It's all about seeing the opportunities that are available and acting on them. Talented leaders combine vision with an urge towards action, all of it supported by the team they inspire.
7. Leaders are finishers: Leaders don't just begin an enterprise, they take it through the full length of the race, muster strength in the final miles, and cross the finish line.

Perhaps you saw the Tom Hanks movie released in 2016 called "Sully". Now there's leadership in action.

Based on a true story, the movie takes us through the experiences of Chesley Sullenberger, a pilot who led his crew through a crisis when a flock of birds struck their plane, disabling both engines.

Recognizing that it was not possible to make it to the nearby airports, Captain Sully safely glided the plane to rest in the Hudson River. All of the crew and passengers were evacuated safely.

Brian Dodd, a well-respected authority on leadership, was also inspired by this movie. Visit his website and read his blog on the "22 Leadership Lessons from Captain Chesley."

There's nothing like surviving a plane crash to teach us about what true leadership entails.

Action Step:

Who are your leaders? Take a close look at the people within your sphere of influence and identify the potential leaders.

It starts with you. You've got this!

Your friends,
The UpCloseTeam