Hello, Welcome, and all that Jazz

For some reason - one which I haven't entirely figured out yet - I tend to wind up in charge.

From my elementary school girl scout troop, through various clubs in high school and college, to my current job and professional organizations - I always wind up in charge.

Sometimes, I wind up leading an effort because I'm the only one willing to take the risk and be in charge.  Other times, I wind up in a leadership position because someone else nominated me - or even better, because I fought to put myself there.

I've even been told I'm a natural.

But really, what does that mean?

What makes someone a leader?  What makes someone a natural leader?  Or a good leader?

Of course, I can tell you all about what makes a bad "leader," and you could probably tell me just as much.  I still haven't figured out the answers to the better questions though.  Maybe there are no answers, or maybe there are so many they are simply impossible to capture in any one place or person.  One thing I have, however, figured out - is that I have a lot to learn.

In April 2013, I joined a little organization called Toastmasters.  You may have heard of it.  And no, we don't make toast...nor do we sit around giving toasts.  Rather, we practice our speaking and leadership skills in a safe, supportive place.  No one is going to get fired, or booed, or graded with a big red F in Toastmasters.  We practice, we learn, and then we practice some more and learn some more.  Gradually, we get better at both speaking and leading - because let's face it, the best leaders are also the best communicators.

By night, then, I'm a speech-making, book-hoarding, constant learner always looking for the next challenge.  By day, I'm the operations manager of a small consulting firm, where the rule is "I'm in charge if the owner isn't here" - and with an owner whose almost never there, I'm almost always in charge.

My next challenge...well, you're reading it.   As I learn, and study, and hopefully grow, I'm going to share my thoughts and experiences here.  Speaking tips, leadership thoughts, all the random little lessons of life...here we go.