Happy National Leadership Day!
Or, at least that's the proclamation according to the National Day Calendar web site. (click on image to see the article on their site)
According to them the Maxwell Leadership Enterprise founded National Leadership Day in 2021 to recognize what it means to be a good leader. The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Leadership Day in 2022 to be observed annually.
That sounds all well and good except for one problem, someone in 2019 had already declared a National Leadership Day as September 4. According to the National Day Archives web site, Christina Burleson founded National Leadership Day in 2019. (Click here for website.)
I spent just a little time poking around the internet to see what I could find out about Christina Burleson. I note with interest that one person with that name was certified as a John Maxwell Team Member in 2019. Is this the right Christina Burleson? I have no idea.
Whether it is or not, may actually be irrelevant. The point is that some people have found it important enough to establish a national day for remembering leadership, the people who take it upon themselves to influence others for bringing about good in their communities. That's worth something, I believe.
Too many people think that leadership is someone else's job. They minimize their own abilities. They dismiss their own power and influence. That's unfortunate.
Living small, shying away from the responsibility that comes with leadership, or choosing to simply be dismissive or your own influence on others serves no one. It only diminishes the opportunities for others to tap into your ideas, your capabilities and the talent that only you can show up to contribute.
On this National Leadership Day, or on September 4th, or maybe even on both days, take a moment and reflect on those who have been leaders in your life and realize that they didn't choose to live small, avoid influencing you, or diminish their responsibility for leading. Honor them by doing the same.
