There are 3 key leadership words in the GR8 Leaders definition of leadership. The 3 words help the definition be memorable and to the point. But, more importantly, those 3 key leadership words help you lead in any situation, especially if circumstances aren't good.

Leadership definitions come in all shapes and sizes, good and bad, but too often they aren't simple. We have worked to make the GR8 Leaders definition accurate, but also short and easy to remember.

And, it is easier to remember when you remember the 3 key leadership words.

THERE

The first of the 3 key leadership words defines the "what" or what we call "THERE". That's the term GR8 Leaders uses for a "destination" or a "desired end result". If you don't focus on you want to achieve, reach or create, then great leadership isn't likely. Obviously, you can lead people in the wrong direction or lead them to be unfocused and unproductive, but that is lousy leadership.

If you were unfocused that would imply something about your character or example which is always important if you want to be a great leader. In fact, a good leadership definition becomes great when values are part of the definition. 

Thinking about character and values, that can be a THERE for you and others. THERE is simply that "something" that serves to organize your energy to reach or achieve. It's like President John F. Kennedy organizing his and thousands of others' energy when he said that he wanted the United States to land on the moon by the end of the 1960's.

So, good leadership definitions include or imply a THERE. And, THERE can be small or great. THERE can be your life purpose or what you want to achieve before the end of the day.

Generally, Purpose is the ultimate THERE for an organization or individual. And, it is essential to determine Purpose, because it serves as the organizing principle for any goal whether for the year, month, or day. Each of your goals are a THERE with clear dates and ways to measure progress.

So, what is your THERE? What do you want to achieve or create by this time next week? Or, have you thought about your Purpose, your ultimate THERE?

Without a clear THERE, it is very difficult to be a great leader!

Committed

Next, comes the "how much." The second of the 3 key leadership words is about your motivation. How "committed" are you to get to THERE? How much energy will you use to get THERE? Is the THERE something others want you to have, but you aren't that interested in it?

When you have a THERE, but little or no commitment to it, you drastically reduce the chance of reaching THERE. Sure, something can happen to let you easily reach your THERE, but that is like winning the lottery - a very, very, very low probability.

Commitment is a key ingredient to get THERE. And there is a way to help you clarify your level of motivation. For example, you watch a talented athlete, singer, or painter. As you watch, they inspire you to be like them. At that point you begin to form a THERE - a destination you want to arrive at.

Suppose you become very clear about becoming a world class singer. What is the next important thing to do? You need to assess your voice right now. Without that assessment, you cannot determine your motivation or commitment. Wouldn't your commitment be higher if a talented coach said you had a great voice? Most likely. If they said you have a great voice then you may commit to THERE easier!

But, would you easily commit if the same coach said it would be very hard. What if it will take years of training and the prospects weren't good? That would test your commitment.

Great leaders commit to THERE not whether it is easy or hard, but because they want to get THERE. But, they also verify where they are right now! They have a clear THERE and a clear HERE! When you have both points, you test your commitment to the PATH that you need to take to go from HERE to THERE.

Are you COMMITTED to your THERE?

Influence

Finally, the third of the 3 key leadership words is where leadership actually begins.

If you research leadership, one word will often show up - influence. That is a good one word definition of leadership. But it isn't complete. Leadership needs the other 2 words. With the other two words you create a foundation for a great leadership definition.

Nevertheless, INFLUENCE is critical for leadership. Why? Well, imagine that you have a THERE and you COMMIT to it, but no one else sees your THERE as important. That means you have no INFLUENCE on them, at least for the THERE you are COMMITTED to. When you INFLUENCE others to go THERE with you - then you are leading.

Please keep this clear. You may not plan to INFLUENCE others, because you are just committed to your THERE. But, if they see you want to get THERE and they want to go THERE with you, that's when leading starts.

Preferably, when leading, the THERE you choose is something that will benefit others and you want others to help you get THERE.

Finally, it is important to recognize that  COMMITTED takes on two roles. One, you COMMIT to get THERE. Now, when you see they want to go THERE with you, you COMMIT to INFLUENCE others to get THERE with you.

Are you COMMITTED to get THERE and COMMITTED to INFLUENCE others to get THERE?

If so, you are leading. THERE, COMMITTED, and INFLUENCE are the 3 key leadership words that form the foundation of the GR8 Leaders definition of leadership.