Leadership.  An intimidating word!  You’ve been hearing your whole life that you should be a leader, not a follower.  But what does being a leader really mean?

Leaders inspire others.  They can identify a problem before it gets out of control. They find a way to connect with others and take them where they need to be.  They are the decision makers.  They show their leadership through results, not talk.  And they know how to achieve goals. A really great leader motivates people to do things they didn’t even know they wanted to do and leaves them with a feeling of personal accomplishment.  They let others shine.

In this world where we are too often more interested in taking the credit then accomplishing the goal, it is difficult to be a good leader.  It’s hard to put the objective ahead of ourselves and let others get the praise.  But if it was easy, everyone would do it. 

John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”  SDA embodies this sentiment by providing an opportunity for both to all members.  Who has inspired you?  What leadership role are you motivated to try next?  

Wendy Callahan is the Director of Financial Analysis

with Davis Brody Bond LLP in New York, NY

I just heard a very short address by Admiral McRaven to the University of Texas called Life Lesson #1. In a short 90 seconds, he explained the importance of making his bed properly in boot camp. “It isn’t going to change the world in the short term,” he said, “ but it could change your life.”

The life lesson is, if you can master one simple, mundane task to perfection, if you make your bed in the morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day, it will give you a small sense of pride, and encourage you to accomplish another, and then another. And by the end of the day, that one task completed will turn into many tasks completed. And making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things.

And if by chance you have a miserable day, you’ll come home to a bed that is made – that YOU made, and encouragement that tomorrow will be better.

So if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

What little thing can you start mastering today?

Betsy Nickless, CDFA, is the Business Manager for Mark Scheurer Architects in Newport Beach, California and is a member of the SDA National Past Presidents Council.