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The Step Up - Vol. 8: Two Important Things About Leadership
Volume 8: Two Important Things About Leadership As I type this, I just got back from my Leadership Lafayette graduation (shoutout Mary-Katherine for the mention during your speech), and I've been thinking about leadership a lot recently. A lot can be said about leadership, and I will never be able to say it all. But two aspects of leadership have been ringing in my mind recently:
1. Leadership looks different: I credit my LL classmate Jaelyn Richard for that succinct verbiage. As I look around at my class and see how diverse we are in literally every facet possible (socio-economic, job title, industry, etc.), I only see leaders. Architect, marketer, artist, attorney, insurance agent, pharmacist, nonprofit worker, entrepreneur, on and on and on. Calm, energetic, public speaker, reserved, question-asker (Frank), initiator, comic relief, on and on and on. No one person was alike, yet all are leaders. Leadership looks different. 2. Leadership is not about you: I had the opportunity to talk to current UL Student Government leaders recently, and amongst the various advice I gave them, this was the point I emphasized. Leadership is a privilege. It's an opportunity. But most importantly, it's a responsibility. You are in leadership for something greater than yourself.
To lead is to focus on others. To lead is to serve. Leadership is not about you. I'm blessed to be surrounded by so many great leaders, and I hope that you feel empowered to fulfill your leadership potential. Remember, leadership looks different, so you can be a leader. But leadership is not about you. See you next Thursday, Steppers. We will succeed, Grayson Song of the Week:
I'm going see EDEN this Sunday in Dallas, and I'm STOKED! I've been listening to him since 2016. It was hard picking a song for this week (and the album this is on [i think you think too much of me] is a top 10 album of mine), but rock + roll brings me back to Summer 2016 and what life felt like then. My first foray into a new musical soundscape. I recommend everything EDEN's released - he deserves so much more recognition. A true artist. |
Grayson Stepanek
Subscribe to my newsletter - the Step Up! You'll get an inside look into my thoughts, mental models, and ways of going about life - with the goal of helping you do the same. Take the first step and join me on this journey. Newsletter every Thursday at 4:30pm CST.
Vol. 11: The Power of Thanks Friendsgiving at Cafe Bella Today's all about giving thanks. There's so much power in that mindset. Thankfulness. An "attitude of gratitude," as the Boomers call it (shoutout Zig Ziglar). But it's true. Poising your mind to be in a state of thankfulness is so, so powerful. Gratitude puts you in a positive headspace, reducing fears or negativity. It makes you more present and aware, pulling you from the future's "what if's" or the past's "why's." It reduces...
Vol. 10: If This Isn't the Time of My Life, Then When Is? This made me pause. This was the ending screen at EDEN's concert, and it's been a motto around his recent album DARK. It relates to one of my biggest struggles: constantly focusing on what's next and often forgetting to appreciate the present. If this isn't the time of my life, then when is? It's so easy to get caught up in the pursuit: Living for the weekend Attaining the next promotion or award Chasing that next PR I struggle with...
Vol 9: The Myth of Youthful Energy My actual calendar from last week Last week was a whole month. Literally the busiest week of my year. A productive, fun, meaningful busy - but busy nonetheless. It made me think about how people say they appreciate someone's "youthful energy" when the other person is doing a lot, and that's always stuck with me, but not in the way those people intend. "Youthful energy" is a myth. Putting myself in these shoes: I know people older than me who are working...