Bernie Borges [00:00:00]:
Hey. Bernie here. Welcome to episode 220. I’m coming to you with an On My Mind episode. And if I sound a little bit nasally, it’s because I am. I have a cold, and I hope that you’ll bear with me. You know, unless you’re a new listener to the Midlife Fulfill podcast, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been talking a lot about leadership. And in recent weeks, I’ve told the story of just a whole series of life events that have led me to this moment in life where I care deeply, deeply about leadership.
Bernie Borges [00:00:35]:
So much so that I’ve developed a leadership framework. And today, I want to address the topic of leadership more holistically. So what is on my mind is that leadership doesn’t require a title. So let me explain what I mean by this in this week’s episode, and I’ve also written a blog post about this, which covers really the same insights on this podcast, but in the form of a blog post, in case you’re a reader or you know someone who would enjoy this message and that person’s more inclined to read rather than listen to a podcast. But hey, I want you to listen to the end because I have a challenge for you to consider at the end of this episode. So So let me begin with this statement, how you can lead right where you are. Now when you hear the word leader, what comes to mind? A CEO? A coach? A political figure? Your boss? Sure. Those are traditional leadership roles, but leadership isn’t just about titles or positions.
Bernie Borges [00:01:42]:
In fact, some of the most impactful leaders in the world don’t even have a formal leadership role at all. You see, leadership is about influence. It’s about the way you show up, the way you inspire others, and the way that you take responsibility for making a difference in any of life’s circumstances. So when I speak or write about my Fulfillment Centric Leadership Framework, I do talk about it in the context of organizations, admittedly in traditional leadership. However, its principles apply to every area of life. Whether you’re at work, at home, in your community, at an event, or even among your friends, you have opportunities to lead every day. So I want to explore what leadership can look like in real life scenarios. 1st, let’s look at leadership at work even without a title.
Bernie Borges [00:02:44]:
You see, you don’t need a manager or director in your job title to be a leader. True leadership at work isn’t about your scope of authority. It’s about your impact. It’s about someone who steps up to solve a problem instead of waiting for someone else to do it, or supports and encourages a struggling coworker, or shares ideas that improve a team’s performance, or leads by example with integrity, reliability, and a positive attitude, or contributes to a healthy, positive culture where people can thrive. You see, if you’re someone who adds value and helps others and makes things better, guess what? You’re leading. And in many cases, the people who lead in this way before they even get an official leadership title, they’re the ones who get noticed and get promoted into official leadership roles. Now, if you don’t aspire to have a leadership role in the workplace, you can still be an impactful leader by being a person of influence, and you can take pride in that. Next, let’s take a look at leadership in your family.
Bernie Borges [00:03:59]:
Leadership doesn’t stop when you leave the workplace. In your family, you have an incredible opportunity to lead through love, patience, and example. Parents, of course, are leaders by default. But even if you’re not a parent, you can lead by supporting a family member through a challenge or creating a culture of encouragement and gratitude at home. Being the one who keeps the family connected whether that’s through holiday traditions or just checking in regularly, organizing family events to show your passion for maintaining connection with loved ones, or holding someone accountable when a situation calls for it. Families thrive when at least one person takes the lead in fostering connection, growth, and support. Maybe you’re that person. Next, let’s look at leadership in your community.
Bernie Borges [00:04:56]:
Every community needs leaders, not just the ones with official titles, but the ones who step up to make things better. Now you might not run for office or chair or a committee, but leadership can look like volunteering your time and your skills, speaking up for those that don’t have a voice, being a mentor to someone younger or less experienced, organizing an event or initiative that brings people together. Leadership in a community isn’t about prestige, it’s about service. And sometimes, the most powerful leadership happens quietly without any fanfare in the everyday moments of helping others. Leadership is about how you show up. Ultimately, leadership is a mindset. You probably saw that coming. Leadership is not about waiting for a title or permission.
Bernie Borges [00:05:55]:
It’s about recognizing the influence that you already have and then using it to make a difference. It’s choosing to act instead of waiting for someone else to step up. It’s inspiring others through your actions and your attitude. It’s taking responsibility for the energy that you create in any environment. My friend, you don’t need a promotion or a position or a title or a podium to be a leader. You just need a willingness to serve, to take initiative, and to care about making things better wherever you are. So how can you prepare to be a leader? Leadership isn’t something you just wake up one day and decide to do. It’s something you prepare for through small, intentional actions over time.
Bernie Borges [00:06:51]:
Again, it’s a mindset. And one of the best ways to evolve as a leader is to develop self awareness. Pay attention to how you respond to challenges, how you handle stress, and how you interact with others. Are you a good listener? Do you take responsibility for your actions? Do you look for ways to contribute even when it’s not expected? What do others say about how you handle unplanned situations? Strong leaders are always learning. They’re reading. They’re seeking mentorship, and they’re embracing feedback. And they also practice resilience because leadership isn’t about never failing. It’s about getting back up and using every experience to grow.
Bernie Borges [00:07:40]:
The more you develop these qualities, the more authentically leadership will flow from who you are no matter where you are. Let’s talk about leadership potential in midlife and the power of experience and growth. You see, one of the gifts of midlife is the wisdom that just comes with experience. As we age, our values evolve, our perspectives broaden, and, hopefully, our self awareness deepens. We begin to see life and leadership through a different lens. Maybe earlier in life, leadership felt like a pursuit of status or achievement. But now, you realize that it’s more about impact, purpose, and helping others. I don’t have to tell you that midlife is a season of reflection, but it’s also a season of action.
Bernie Borges [00:08:34]:
With decades of experience under our belt, we have a stronger sense of what truly matters. We’ve learned from successes and failures. We’ve developed resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complex situations. These attributes position us to lead, not necessarily from a title or a position, but from a place of wisdom, service, and authenticity. And whether you realize it or not, your midlife experiences have prepared you to lead in ways that younger versions of yourself couldn’t. The question is, will you step into that opportunity? So where can you lead today? Where in your life do you see opportunities to lead even if you don’t have a leadership title? How are you currently leading, whether it’s in the workplace or not? Do you recognize missed opportunities in your life to lead? So as promised, my friend, my challenge to you is the following. Answer these questions honestly to yourself. Maybe you should discuss this with someone that you trust.
Bernie Borges [00:09:47]:
The world needs leadership. Do your part to lead in situations where you can step up and lead. Hey. I hope that this On My Mind episode serves as some inspiration for your leadership potential in any context, whether it’s inside or outside the workplace. And if you do wanna learn more about the fulfillment centric leadership framework for the workplace, hop over to the show notes page for this episode, and you’ll find a link there to my website where you can read more about it. I also have a 14 minute video that explains the Fulfillment Centric Leadership Framework. Well, that’s it for this On My Mind episode. I hope that you tolerated my nasal voice, and hopefully next time, I’m back to normal.
Bernie Borges [00:10:29]:
Hey. Stay tuned for this pre recorded closing message.
