You are a leader. Someone is watching you. You may be in school and someone is watching how you treat others.

You are a leader. Someone is watching you. You may be working as the janitor in your office and someone notices that you whistle while you do your work.

You are a leader. Someone is watching you. You may be retired, only leaving your house to buy groceries, and someone notices how you make the check-out clerk laugh at your corny jokes.

We are all leaders, whether we realize it or not. There is a responsibility to always be the best we can be. We can look at that as a burden or as an opportunity. I choose to embrace the opportunity!

Be kind.

Be honest.

Find a reason to smile.

If I only do those three things, then I have been a positive influence on those around me.

We all know someone who is always sour, who finds something to complain about and who never lets the truth get in the way of a good story. Don’t be that person! You have a choice about your attitude each day, so choose to be the best you can be.

Some days, my best is something I have to force. I say “Fake it till you make it.” I don’t want to smile and I’d rather be snippy. I let my circumstances be in charge of my behavior. Have you had days (months) like that? Yeah, I know. It’s tough.

There is a way to rise above your tough times. I wonder are you a thermometer or a thermostat?

A thermometer only reflects the temperature of its environment, adjusting to the situation. But a thermostat initiates action to change the temperature in its environment. —Nido R Qubein

A leader is a thermostat. Be one of those!

We might tell ourselves that we can’t be a leader because we don’t have a title that says we are a leader. Nothing is further from the truth. As I said earlier, you already are a leader because someone is watching you. Invest in yourself and improve your leadership skills. Do what’s right and set a good example of integrity and courage.

It’s highly likely that whoever is watching you will also improve their skills, do what’s right and set a good example of integrity and courage. Being a part of that chain reaction wouldn’t be so bad, would it? I think not.

Be kind.

Be honest.

Find a reason to smile.

Have a groovy day!