🌟 Stepping Into Leadership: It’s Not About You

Leadership isn’t about being the best in the room. It’s about making everyone else in the room better—your kids, coworkers, family members, community partners, and even your superiors. True leaders constantly ask themselves: How can I elevate the people around me?

🤝 Leadership Begins with Selflessness

The first step into leadership is unselfishness. Not just in action, but in mindset. You give without expecting anything in return—not recognition, not rewards, not even gratitude.

Let me share a personal example. I once invited a friend to join me at the Lions Club. It’s a service organization rooted in community and volunteerism. We don’t talk business. We don’t talk politics. We give back. That’s the mission.

At first, my friend seemed to enjoy it. They even signed up for a few volunteer opportunities. But eventually, they stopped coming. Why? I think it is because they weren’t getting business out of it. To me they missed the bigger picture.

Leadership is about building meaningful relationships, not transactional ones. It’s about being the person others turn to—not because of what you can give them, but because of who you are and what you stand for.

🏆 Titles Don’t Make Leaders—Reputation Does

You can hold every title in the book, but if your actions don’t back them up, they’re just words.

I could list my roles:

• Elected Official on City Council

• Chairman of the Chamber

• President of Troy Dunn Insurance

• Board Member of the Birdville Education Foundation

• Member of the Birdville Partners in Education Committee

• Birdville Bond Committee Member

• Lions Club Board Member

But none of those titles matter without the time, effort, and integrity it took to earn them. Leadership is built in the trenches—through late nights, tough conversations, and unpaid hours. Real leaders don’t campaign for positions. They’re invited into them because of the trust they’ve earned.

🔍 Define Leadership for Yourself

Leadership has many definitions. It’s not one-size-fits-all. You have to find your own meaning, just as I’ve found mine.

For me, leadership is about giving more than I take. It’s about being a person my family can be proud of—someone they can point to and say, “He made a difference.”

My work isn’t done. And maybe it never will be. But every day, I strive to be a leader who lifts others, serves selflessly, and leaves the community better than I found it.

🚀 Your Turn: Step Into Leadership

Take a moment to reflect:

• Who are you lifting up?

• What legacy are you building?

• Are you giving more than you take?

Leadership doesn’t require a title—it starts with a mindset. Look around your community. Find a cause that speaks to you. Volunteer. Mentor someone. Join a local organization. Be the person others can count on.