Page 24 - The EDGE Summer 2025

LEADERSHIP

BY LINDA VIRGIL
Finding the Leader in You

Linda Virgil

We are surrounded by great leaders, men and of personal leadership. Others begin to recognize
women worldwide, nationally, locally, and you for it, and they begin to seek you out for
within our own organizations, communities, and guidance and support. Great leaders are grounded
workplaces. We all have one or two, maybe more, in what they believe, it's about allowing yourself
who have inspired or motivated us personally. to be vulnerable. We may not know the answer,
We look up to them and often wish we had their be honest and ask for support, and share what
strengths and courage, we aspire to be like them, you learned with your team. Leadership is about
model their philosophies and practices, and be being open and taking responsibility. People don't
recognized in our own right as a Leader. typically remember you for your grand gestures,
they remember you for being compassionate, for
When we think of iconic leaders, a few that being inclusive and for engaging and empowering
spring to mind are George Washington, Eleanor others. Stay true to your values, what do you stand
Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Margaret for? Don't try to be someone you're not.
Thatcher, and of course our own beloved Brian
Mee. I would like to remiss in not mentioning Leadership isn't always about having all the
my favorite, Queen Elizabeth II of England, the answers, it's about showing up as you are,
longest serving monarch in British history who being genuine and transparent. It's about
provided continuity and stability through times of being present and engaged, building and
significant change. maintaining strong relationships and fostering
a positive work environment not just in the
The question is: How do I bring out the leader in moment but in the long-term goals of organization
me? and its teams. There isn't a one-side fits all.
Leadership styles vary widely, each has its
There is a leader in us all, we all have the ability, strengths and weaknesses just as we do as
but we very often don't recognize it, or we don't individuals. Leadership requires adaptability and
believe we are capable of it. the ability to find the right approach to meet the
specific situation.
"The journey into leadership may

start out small and you don't even Personally I like structure, yet when I read articles
on structure and leadership it generally paints
realize or recognize it." a picture of "authority, a top-down approach,

the distribution of power and decision-making
You're assigned to a project in your workplace, authority among leaders." We operate in a very
you organize an event, you engage in small deadline-driven environment and my thoughts
intentional actions and begin to build a foundation are that when there is structure, a team knows

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24 THE EDGE SUMMER 2025