Something that gives me joy is when a colleague tells me they are using what they’re learning at work to be more effective in their private lives.

When our people become better partners, parents, community leaders, coaches, or volunteers, it’s a tangible benefit we provide to the communities we serve. Our efforts to identify leaders—regardless of role or title—and give them an opportunity to flourish is a gift that keeps on giving. I believe that once someone sees the impact of taking initiative, and understands the difference they can make, they will return and embrace leadership time and again.

Three things help define whether leaders are effective:

• They Garner Trust: They honor commitments, maintain confidentiality, listen attentively, and act consistently.
• They Care: They build meaningful connections, communicate empathy, and can walk in others’ shoes. Caring defines their daily behavior.
• They Help: They make a real difference. While sometimes our impact is unnoticed, more often, making a difference comes with intention. Effective leaders have clarity about where to help; they are stewards of their service, and things are better because of their action.

Lead where you stand—at work, at home, at church, or even at the ballpark.

-Howe Q. Wallace Jr