Agnes (Anjeze in her native language) was born in 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia. Her father was taken out for political reasons when she was just eight years old and at a very young age, she felt called into a life of serving others. She was fascinated by missionaries serving in India and determined to follow in their footsteps. So much so that at 18, she left home, traveled to Ireland, and joined the Sisters of Loreto in order to learn English and become a missionary in India. Which she did just a short time later.
She had no money. She had no position. She had no last name to open doors for her. She simply had a passion for helping others, loving those the world didn't, and the courage to make a difference.
Over the remaining 68 years of her life, Mother Teresa's impact was so significant, that the Catholic Church officially recognized her as a saint in St Peter's Square in 2016. A humble but passionate, fatherless girl with no public stature, no financial resources, and no family support changed the lives of millions of people and influenced countless others to do the same.
"Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed." (Hebrews 7:16)
People often forget they have the power within them to be a leader of incredible impact.
Sure, cash, titles, and last names are a helpful launching point, but they are just skubalon without a heart to connect, a passion to serve, and the courage to act.
Leadership is influence. If you have a big title and no followers, you are just overhead, not a leader. Conversely, you can be the least of all and the leader of many by the way you live and the courage to act.
We teach all the time what I call the algorithm of influence. First, connect with the heart, then challenge and inspire the mind, then gain influence.
Connecting with the heart starts with seeing others and caring enough to listen, understand, and think about what's best for them...not you.
Challenge and inspiration come through having new information to share or helping people see the same information differently. It offers perspective and options. It's demonstrating the courage to take action, not just preach, pass the buck, or complain. No need to follow someone who isn't moving.
If you find yourself waiting on someone to do something, remember...you are someone. Don’t wait for someone else to step up…you may be waiting a long time. Commit to perpetual courageous acts of helping others and watch the world respond.
The power of your life is far greater than your name, title, physical stature, or bank account. Live in a way others take notice and want to be a part of it. Look next to and behind you, is anyone there?
