As I look through my experience as a leader, I have asked myself, “what equipped me as a leader?” There are several contributing factors that enhanced my ability to lead. However, I must be honest and say that leadership was not something I natural acquired. I had to work through a blueprint that was not laid out for me. Through trial and error, I was able to polish up this thing we call “leadership”. Through this publication, I want to share a blueprint to equip individuals to be effective leaders.

When placed in a position to lead or given an opportunity to lead, you must determine who you will appoint to hold you accountable. Accountability is vital. Accountability serves as the conscience for a leader’s success. Through my journey in leadership, I had to learn to dismiss cultural biases that had been apart of my rearing and upbringing. When this dismissal was challenging, my accountability partner consistently reminded me of my goals and end state. You must be willing to sacrifice your pride to grow as a leader. Some of my beliefs were hard to let go. This was not because of my moral compass, but more because I was just set in my ways. When identifying an accountability partner, I encourage you to consider these steps:

• Identify a trustworthy confidant
• Ensure that this person is not your significant other
• Share your goals and your “why”
• Schedule a meeting schedule
• Share your successes and celebrate them
• Have thick skin, because every moment of accountability will not be celebratory

After identifying your accountability partner, it is imperative you understand privileges and how privileges will be a benefit your leadership and possibly be an obstacle in enhancing your leadership. Wilson states that the five major privileges are white privilege, socio-economic privilege, Christian privilege, gender privilege, and heterosexual privilege [1]. As you grow to understand these privileges, your opportunity to lead beyond the barriers of privilege will increase. I have always been informed and aware of what white privilege is. In all honesty, I believed that was the only privilege that exist. In my growth as a leader, I learned about the remaining four major privileges.

Everyone has been a victim or beneficiary of privilege. For me, I have benefitted from gender privilege and earlier in my life, I was a victim of socio-economic privilege. Recently, history was made by the United States elected the first woman to serve as Vice President of the United States. This was a moment where the barriers of gender privilege were challenged and championed.  Privilege is nothing to be ashamed of, but as leaders, you should ensure you aware of them. As equipped leaders, it is important to understand your privileges in order to serve with humility. Equipped leader must consider helping others along the way who are starting at different points than you are due to their lack of privilege. As you continue to draft your blueprint for effective leadership, consider determining which privileges you have, and which privileges will be an obstacle where you lead and how you lead.

My goal as a leader is to ensure I champion every opportunity to effectively lead through the lens of privilege. There is truth in the saying, “some are born leaders”. However, I have chose to establish pathways for those with the aptitude to lead coupled with the ability and opportunity. Ensure you have an accountability partner who will commit to ensuring you will lead when leadership is challenging. Lead with humility, with accountability, and with the keen understanding of privilege. This is an Effective Leadership Blueprint!

[1] Willis, N. A. (2016, May 19). 5 Types Of Privilege You Probably Have No Idea You’re Benefiting From. Https://Www.Elitedaily.Com. https://www.elitedaily.com/life/privilege-benefiting-from-no-idea