My family moved houses recently, and we had a team of four guys help us move all of our furniture.  As I watched their team in action, I realized that there is probably a big misconception as to how someone becomes successful and a leader.

I think everyone has seen a great leader when he or she interacts with clients.  There is an unmistakable lack of hesitation, as if the words "we can make this happen" is emblazoned onto their soul.  Whereas someone who is just there for a paycheck might wince at the idea of additional work, the leader shows no similar concern. 

In my experience with our movers, there were two movers who were clearly the leaders of the crew, and while all of them were solid in their own way, these two guys really went above and beyond.  For example, we were paying by the hour, and at a certain time, our budget was up but the job wasn't done.  I told the crew that I had to stop the process, but unbelievably, they just kept working.  They knew they were off the clock, but since they saw there was still more to do, they just kept plugging away.  In fact, I had to actually tell them to stop because I didn't want them to work for free after an already long day.  I'm not saying a leader is someone who always just gives things away, but they definitely do go above and beyond.

And this brings me to the crux of my realization:  I think a lot of people may have the wrong idea about leadership. 

I think a lot of people see these actions and attribute it to them being the boss or owner.  In other words, they see someone really going above and beyond, and they think, "well, they are the boss - they are supposed to do that sort of stuff."   But I think they might be getting the cause and effect wrong.  It's not that people go above and beyond because they are leaders, but rather they are leaders because they go above and beyond. 

It really isn't hard to find uninspired workers with a bad attitude.  So those that have a good attitude day in and day out, with a "we can make this happen" attitude will inevitably find themselves in leadership roles, because that is exactly who upper management wants to see there.  Imagine you are someone in charge of promoting someone - are you going to promote the person who already shows leadership traits by going above and beyond, or are you going to promote someone, hoping that they might turn into that great leader you need them to be?

So in the end, one doesn't have to wait to be a leader to exhibit leadership traits!  In fact, it is essentially  a job requirement to ultimately get that leadership position in the end.