Contagious Leadership

Contagious sounds serious, and it is. It is not restricted to disease; many things, such as your attitude and influence, can be contagious. When something is contagious, it spreads through direct or indirect contact. Sometimes, it is seemingly minor in nature, while other times, it can be extremely widespread. 

Contagious is defined as: exciting similar emotions or conduct in others (Dictionary, 2024). 

It does not matter what position you hold; you are a leader at work, at home, in the community, or with family and friends. Simply put, you are a leader. 

Now, go back and reread the definition of contagious and think about what the definition is implying. As a leader, you have the ability to foster “similar emotions or conduct in others” (Dictionary, 2024). What type of emotions and conduct is up to you as an individual. Your influence as a leader can be a cancer breeding destruction, hurt, and bitterness or a catalyst for change, growth, and inspiration. 

When you desire to be an effective servant leader in your life and area of influence, you interact with others “with humility, vulnerability, and an awareness of the human spirit” (Ledbetter et al., 2016, p. 129). The adverse to that is being an ineffective servant leader leaving people discouraged and disparaged (McNeal, 2006, p. 4). Moreover, “they leave people worse off than they found them” (McNeal, 2006, p. 4).

In 1 Corinthians 4:16 Paul states, “I urge you, then, be imitations of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16, English Standard Version). Paul knew he had influence, but he also set an example that others should seek to emulate. When you influence others, you motivate and challenge them to change their thinking and behavior (Malphurs, 2003, p. 92). Essentially, you are asking them to imitate your good or bad example. The leadership and influence you emit is contagious, what type is up to you. 

“The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe