Last week while giving the commencement address to Arizona State University graduates, President Obama said that building a body of work is ongoing. What we create over a lifetime is never over. It accumulates and expands as we contribute to our community and nation.
He elaborated that we just need to have a passion and willingness to work hard. We do not need a title or status to accomplish great things. A title says little about what you’ve done. He cited examples of “Preacher” Martin Luther King and “Ex-slave” Harriet Tubman.
However, as leaders, people will often judge us by our titles. Our rank can sometimes create an unintended distance between others. They may perceive us as unapproachable. They may perceive us as too busy or important.
People may not be as candid or forthcoming in sharing their opinions or facts. They may fear sharing a different perspective. By being aware of this phenomenon we can take steps to bridge any gaps.
We can all be leaders, regardless of our title. Actions, values and vision create the leader, not the title. These characteristics also create our body of work over a lifetime.