This morning I woke up feeling unsure about how I will do with the Slice of Life Blog Writing Challenge this year. My intent is to blog every day. I did complete the challenge successfully last year, posting for 31 days in a row which led to the past year of blogging almost every day. It’s been an incredible journey. I feel that I have grown as a writer and very supported in my craft. However, something seems different this year. Maybe it is because I have readers from other online communities. Maybe it is because I like my photo only posts once or twice a week. Maybe there are other reasons, too. But, I do feel myself wondering on just Day #3 of the 31 days of the Slice of Life Story Challenge if I will complete the challenge this year. We will see. I hope to. Thanks, in advance for your support and for the support of the TwoWritingTeachers Blog that sponsors the challenge.
Today, due to time pressures of other obligations, I am posting about leadership. It is a subject on which I have thought a lot about, started last week, and just finished this morning. I hope you can relate to this post.
Leadership: What it is and is not.
Leadership is not a title.
It is not giving money.
It is not receiving recognition.
It is not giving in when your heart tells you to forge ahead.
It is not a degree.
It is not an office.
It is not having a desk.
It is not a nameplate.
It is not an elected office.
It is not a job.
It is not joining the masses when you feel you should do otherwise.
It is not being the loudest voice in the room.
It is not backing down when you hit a roadblock.
Leadership is not fickle.
Leadership is…
Leadership is observant.
It is wise.
It is calm.
It is doing what you need to do because it is the right thing to do.
It is sometimes working, hundreds and hundreds of hours behind the scenes.
Working because you see a need.
Work completed………………………………
without a paycheck,
without a desk,
without a title,
without recognition,
without fame,
without being elected,
without being asked.
Leadership often occurs behind closed doors.
In a meeting.
During a conversation.
Making a contribution, however small and, maybe not monetary.
Done because you want to, not because you are asked.
Done because there is a need.
Because YOU noticed the need.
Done because you put others first.
Done because you believe.
Leadership is all these things and more. What have you done to be a leader and what made you do it? When did you realize you were a leader? Did someone tell you or did you just know?
The Apples in My Orchard 
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