So I want share with you a few simple ideas that all young people (as well as the rest of us) need to hear about leadership. I encourage you to share them with the young people you know – either with this post or more importantly, with your own words. Here they are.

You Don’t Need to Be Special to Be a Leader

I didn’t really think much about leadership growing up, but if I did, I probably assumed that “leadership” was reserved for a special group of people: the popular, charismatic or privileged. The problem with that assumption is it lets the rest of us off the hook. We all have a responsibility to ourselves and to the people around us to make wise decisions, develop the character that can stand the weight of unpopular opinion and have the integrity to do the right thing even when there are no foreseen consequences. This isn’t just my opinion; this is essentially the universal prerequisite for effective leadership at most of the organizations I’ve worked with.

You Don’t Need a Position to Be a Leader

Leadership is about influence, not a title. Sure, it’s easier to get some things done when people have to do what you say. But giving orders doesn’t require any leadership ability. Having responsibility without authority – now that takes real leadership. And in my professional experience, there are just as many of these kinds of leaders as ones who hold special positions. In fact, it’s also usually a prerequisite. So find ways to influence, motivate, persuade and develop others now. Don’t wait until later.

You Don’t Need Followers to Be a Leader

The purpose of leadership is to create positive change for others. So just because no one is following you doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do to make a positive impact. Think of something you can do to benefit a group of people: solve a problem, improve a process, share a good idea, meet a need. Then act on it. Then do the same thing again, but invite someone to join you. Repeat the process. As you are successful, your influence will grow.

You Don’t Need to Be the Best to Be the Leader

This is a common misconception among young folks. But the best coaches are rarely the best former athletes. The highest performers don’t always get the promotion. The students with the highest GPA don’t always land the best jobs. You need to be competent, but there are smart people everywhere. The folks who are usually given the most authority are the ones who get along well with others, put the team before themselves, are good at making others look good and take an active role in developing the skills, capacity and confidence of the people around them.

You Don’t Need to Wait to Become a Leader

Many young people are timid because they are young and inexperienced – and they know it. But I say: don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Why not? Because you are never too unqualified to set a good example. Don’t wait for permission. You don’t need it.

At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about me. It’s not about you. It’s about us. And it’s about them. It’s about accepting the responsibility to take the influence we have and use it to set a good example by making positive changes for those around us. Not everyone is up for the challenge, but the position is open. And there is no age requirement. You don’t need to apply. When can you start?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.

Leadership is about one thing and one thing only: influence. Leaders use the influence they have to create positive change. The more positive change, the more influence.

Go into any corporate boardroom, military garrison or government building and you’re bound to find someone who has a title and a position, but lacks the influence he or she needs to get the job done. Even though they’re in charge, their followers resist them at every turn. The ones who stick around, that is. People follow them when they have to… but that’s it.

On the other hand, go to the front lines of any war zone, the kitchen of any restaurant or the teachers’ lounge at any school, and you’re bound to find someone who truly leads, regardless of where he or she falls on the totem pole. All you have to do is ask, “who is the real leader around here? Who has the influence to get the job done?” You’re sure to get an answer.

Leaders are everywhere. They come in all shapes and sizes. That have all kinds of job titles and you’ll find them at every salary range. Giving someone a title won’t make them a leader, and keeping a title from them won’t take their influence away.

Why this is important

Think about it: if you needed a title to be a leader, we could create leaders immediately by handing out titles and positions at will. We wouldn’t need to spend anymore time or money developing new leaders. And all of us who don’t have a title could just zone out on cruise control until a leadership position came our way.

But that isn’t the case. Leadership doesn’t just “happen.” It has to start with someone, somewhere making a change.

What this means for you

The implication here is not that everyone is a leader, but that everyone can become one – regardless of their level in any organization. On the most basic level, we learn to lead ourselves and create positive change in our own lives. Next, we lead others when we influence them and influence circumstances to create positive change on their behalf. Finally, we lead organizations and the world as we know it when we use the influence we have to make things a little bit better for everyone.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from. It doesn’t matter what your present situation is. It doesn’t even matter if anyone is following you or not. Find a way to create positive change and you’ll have influence.

That’s what makes someone a leader.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.