Your personal level of leadership affects everything you do in life. Your job, your friends, your ability to get things done. It has been said that “everything rises and falls on leadership,” including nations, and institutions. I have found this to be true. Here a few ideas on how improving your personal leadership level can positively influence your nightlife experience.
Put simply: what IS leadership? There are a ton of definitons of the term, including “getting people to do something you want them to do, and getting them it like it.” John Maxwell defines it as “Influence” plain and simple. I personally couldn’t agree more. Your ability to influence those you come in contact around you, makes things a lot easier, and can help with putting together birthday parties, charity events, and even getting that certain someone on a second date.
There are 5 levels of leadership according to leadership guru John Maxwell. These levels are:
1.Position. (govt and corps start here)
2.Permission (social influence starts here)
3.Production
4.People Development
5.Personhood
For most nightlife related activities, levels 1-3 apply. Level 1 comes into play where your the “official” chair, or head of some charity or organization. At level 1, people follow you basically because they have to, and will not follow you beyond what official authority you have been given. This is the “because I say so” level.
Level 2, is where you lead others with their permission. People follow you because they want to. This is much easier than level one. Most of all the nightlife leadership related activities fall under this status. This is where you can put together meet ups, invite people to a venue, and plan events, that people you know or invite will actually attend. These people know you, and choose to attend because you personally invited them, or several of their friends. This is the “I’m going because I want to, and the planner is a friend” level.
Level 3 comes into play when word of your events of parties has spread to people who have not personally met you, but have heard of what you have done. They know you put together, or have a finger on the pulse of what’s going on, and invite people into an awesome time.
Qualities of leaders and nightlife takeaway
1. Leaders go first.
Leaders are always trying new things, and new places. They are the true early adopters. They always seem to know of that cool new place, or hotspot before everyone else. In fact, they often have already visited, and know many of the staff and promoters before you’ve even heard of it. So, don’t be afraid to try a new spot that’s just opened and trying to build a following, or a quirky out of the way bar. Letting all your social circle know about “this cool place I just found, that you just have to join me at next week,” is a great spot to be in.
2. Leaders are focused.
Leaders focus their efforts. This goes in a bit of the “try a ton of places, and see what works” advice in the above point. Leaders follow the Pareto principle that states that 80% of all results come from 20% of activities. So, find the venues, and events to provide the most punch, and fun for most events and stick with them. There’s a need to do new things, and no need to reinvent the wheel. A friend of mine throws a HUGE Mardi Gras party at her house every year. There’s always stories, and a great time from each party. She doesn’t try to completely reinvent the party every year. It’s well attended because everyone knows it will be a great time, great food, and a big group of fun people. Dloing something similar in your social circle will be a great move.
3. Leaders are change agents.
By being early adopters, leaders go first. This stance is not easy..as many resist change. The refrain of “why should we do X when Y works already?” is one any leader is familiar with. The requires dedication, on the part of any leader. The leaders best bet, to allow for change, it do draw people to themselves. People buy in to a leader, before they buy into the vision. If people know you, and associate you with knowing where to go and what to do, and you actually are their friend, they will buy into new ideas much easier. This personal touch can not be substituted.
Leave a comment. What are your tips for leadership?
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