We cannot lead others if we don’t have influence. Having influence means making things happen. There are many misconceptions surrounding the term leadership, such as when people hear that someone has a high-sounding title or has been assigned a leadership position, they automatically think that that makes them a leader. Sometimes this is true, but titles don't have much value when they refer to leadership: true leadership is not a title that can be awarded, it only comes from influence, and it is not something that is given to you, but must be earned.
Leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less. If you can't influence others, they won't follow you, and if they don't follow you, you are not a leader. Leadership skills are a direct measure of a person’s performance potential: the less capable someone is of leading, the less potential they have. The better their leadership skills, the greater the return. The more you want to rise up the ladder, the more you need leadership. The stronger the impact you want to have, the greater your influence needs to be. Whatever you do in life is determined by your ability to lead others.
Leadership principles are a constant that transcends time and cultures. The laws of leadership are independent of each other, and they can be learned, but they do require constant practice. Apply them, and people will follow you.
