Lead from Where You Are

Those with influence aren’t always found at the top of the organizational chart
By Christina Folz

I have chosen the article, Lead from Where You are by Christina Folz as my journal entry for
reflection. It speaks about the importance of leadership in business. However, Leaders aren’t all outgoing,
success-driven and positioned at the top of the corporate ladder. She strongly believes that all could become
leaders regardless of how insignificant they think they might be, so long as they are willing to pay a price
to step up and take every opportunity that is offered before them. At first, I thought that it has nothing to do
with my life because it is a business thing; I am not into business nor own a small one anyway. Nevertheless,
it came into my mind and asked, isn’t life a business, as well? Just like the success of business depends
upon the management and expertise of a leader, so does the success of life depend on someone’s knowledge
and his practical application in reality.
I am proud to say that I finished my studies being a working student. I met a lot of challenges and
struggles back then. I had the difficulty in balancing my time for studies and for my work. Sometimes the
work demanded so much from me to the point that I was tempted to give up my studies and focus only on
working. But thanks to the people who have a deep concern about my future and most especially to my
family who truly love me, from whom I got a lot of helpful advices and lessons in life. Through their
untiring and unwavering support, I learn to value the things which are essentials and come to know my
priorities. So, I continued my studies and work but didn’t let my studies be interrupted with my work. I
could say that without them, I wouldn’t be able to successfully finished my studies, and I wouldn’t be the
person who I am now. All these happen because I let myself be formed with their values and try hard to
apply them in my day to day life.
With this experience, I realize two essential things in life. First, sufficient knowledge is a pre-
requisite to become successful. This is why we need education. I do believe that knowledge cannot only be
gained exclusively from the four corners of our classroom. As much as we try hard to learn from our school,
so we also have to learn from different people’s experiences and their practical insights and advices [in this
case from my family]. Second, our success in life depends not on how much resources we have in life but
rather success depends upon how we live our life. Though I didn’t come from a well-to-do family, yet I am
still grateful the Lord because that experience of mine taught me to be tough and brought me into realization,
that poverty is indeed neither a hindrance to success nor prevents us from reaching our goals. If only we
are to live our life with hard work and perseverance in accordance to our values and principles we believe,
I don’t think if success is something far and distant. In fact, it is closer than we think it only has to be
worked out though.
By the time I am able to equipped myself holistically, is the time in which I could say that I am
ready to lead others. As the famous aphorism says, we cannot give what we don’t have. It takes much time
and formation to become a leader. In the realm of business, in order for a leader to become efficient and
competent, one has to undergo intensive training and seminars. The same is true with our life, for sooner or
later, whether we like it or not, we will be leading people. It is rather true therefore that we don’t have to
wait to be that someone holding the top position to lead. Sometimes we have to lead from who we are and
what we have even if it is a small thing. Great things start with a humble beginning.