I wasn’t born a leader. They were all around me though. In the community, at work, at school. Leaders were everywhere.

They were the heads of families, coaches of teams, business leaders, mentors, organisational decision-makers.

I admired these leaders. They influenced who I was and who I was becoming. Whatever they did professionally or how they became what they were, I aspired to walk in their footsteps.

And, so, I committed myself to becoming one. Finally, it came to me. It wasn’t just what leaders knew that enabled them to lead. They had a voice. They could tell their story. They could listen and answer. They didn’t just accomplish, they communicated.

So I set out to find my voice. Learn to process information on my toes. I needed to learn to listen. Learn to give feedback—and accept it. I needed to organize, plan, deliver, follow up. I needed a place where all the ingredients were there, and someone would guide me along the way.

I found that place.

I found a community of learners and the path to leadership.

I am a leader—and I was made.