Every day we interact with hundreds of people with opportunities to impact the lives of others: clients, employees, supervisors, peers, family members and complete strangers. The mindset of “existing” verses “living” is the difference. As leaders, people are watching everything we do, but we must realize that we are all leaders. Webster-Merriam defines a leader as “someone or something that leads or is able to lead.” Every one of us is a leader regardless our role or title. This is the first realization that we each have a responsibility to “live” and not simply “exist” as we all have a responsibility as a leader to serve.
Every One of Us is a Leader
I came to this realization in my early 20s when I was a commander at the Air Force Academy and responsible for the morale, welfare, and discipline of 120 of the finest young men and women in the United States of America. I was blessed with a wonderful education at the Air Force Academy and received a great deal of training on what it means to be a leader. And, I was given the challenge and opportunity to lead. I came to the understanding my role was not to merely get through each day (existing), but instead, my role was to “live” and look at each day as opportunity to serve those around me.
As I learned along the way, I began to document my leadership style and author a leadership credo titled “Every Day is an Opportunity.” One of the proudest moments of my life is when I was standing in the oval office with President Bush on March 1st, 2004 after being named the Air Force Cadet of the Year. One of the key contributors to winning this award was the belief I was living. I believed so strongly in my leadership credo that I handed President Bush a copy and he actually read it in the oval office.
The award resulted simply from the fact that my preparation lined up with an opportunity, and I performed to the best of my ability with a winner’s mindset. One of my favorite quotes is from Sir Winston Churchill: “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” I prepared, worked hard, and executed with the conviction that I am “living” and making an impact in hundreds of people daily. Today, there is a sword in the Pentagon with my name on it in honor of the award I received. This is more than a name etched into an object; it symbolizes that if we choose to live, prepare for great opportunities in life and execute with conviction there is no limit to what we can accomplish in life. And there is no limit to the positive impact we can have on others’ lives as servant leaders.
I am blessed to have the opportunity serve our 350 RealManage Ambassadors and 800 Community Associations we manage across the United States of America. My opportunities are limitless to impact those I serve daily; thus I wake up with a great purpose every morning.
Over the course of the next several weeks I will be publishing my 12-points on leadership that have continuously evolved as I have evolved as a leader of character.
Let’s go out there and make a difference today together. Who’s with me?!?
About Mr. Christopher Ayoub
Mr. Ayoub is a distinguished combat veteran and executive with a robust track record of excellence. He serves as the President for RealManage. Please click the following link to read Mr. Ayoub’s biography.
About RealManage
RealManage is a property management company that specializes in homeowner association (HOA) management and condominium management. We serve hundreds of communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Washington, including HOAs, condominium associations, cooperatives, municipal utility districts, luxury high-rises and large master-planned communities.
Chris Ayoub, President
