Words matter. They can clarify or obfuscate. They can motivate or muffle enthusiasm. If you lead, every word and phrase is important because followers (at least those you hope are following) are always listening. What you say shapes what they hear, understand, and ultimately do.

In my latest article for my LinkedIn newsletter, Leading Together, I propose a basic taxonomy:

Leaders are those who lead, not those who occupy a certain position. It is a designation given only by followers, not something that you claim for yourself.

Leading is what leaders do. It is a set of behaviors, decisions, and actions that unite people to accomplish a shared objective.

Leadership is a body of knowledge about the practice of leading. Those who lead, or aspire to lead, study leadership in their pursuit of the mastery of leading.

At a practical level, this simple framework can help you develop yourself, build a strong team, and boost your self-confidence. It is a guide for thinking and reflecting, the essential inner work of becoming a leader. A side benefit is that it aids in navigating the dozen or so books (and scores of articles, podcasts, etc.) about leadership that are published each month.

Leading requires courage and discipline as well as aptitude. It is something at which no one ever achieves perfection. The journey toward mastery offers continual opportunities to learn and abundant rewards for the effort.

Study leadership, practice leading, become a leader.