Today’s leaders aren’t limited by job title

Allison Antes, guest columnist

'Leaders become great, not by their power, but by their ability to empower others.” - John Maxwell

I moved to Cedar Rapids in 2001, knowing exactly one person in town.

I had no job and no network, but I did have a desire to meet new people and an excitement about making my life in a new city away from home. I look back now and wonder if I still would have that same blind courage to take such a leap of faith. But I'm glad that I did.

To me, young professionals have the same fundamental ideas about what leadership is as previous generations did. Leaders create, communicate, show confidence, inspire and are committed - all traits that many young professionals see in themselves. However, I do think there is at least one important difference. Younger professionals don't associate leadership with specific job titles. If we see opportunities to become better, faster, stronger young professionals, we will take it. If we see a need, we will gather a team and get things done. We see little reason to wait for a title or some sort of official designation to take on a leadership role.

The community gave me opportunities as a young professional that were truly amazing. I was absolutely encouraged to become engaged and help create a fun, energetic and financially stable place to work, live and play.

I took a fundraising position with United Way of East Central Iowa shortly after a year of living in Cedar Rapids - one of the best opportunities I was ever given. They took a chance on me - I was new to the community, had no business connections and limited fundraising experience - I had to make the most of the opportunity. Taking the opportunity to work with nearly 300 different companies and build relationships that continue to this day.

Cedar Rapids has been so welcoming. People here truly care for one another and work well together. I have made some of the best, strongest, and life-lasting friendships with people I have met since I moved here.

My advice to others would be to take every opportunity given to you if you are truly interested, because you never know where it will take you. Because of the opportunities I was given, I have been able to build relationships over the past 15 years that have led to me taking big risks - like a major career change - which have been challenging and rewarding.

I am of the John Quincy Adams school of leadership. He said, 'If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader.”

You do not have to have a certain title, degree, status to be a leader - my three kids are all leaders themselves at certain times - they inspire me every day to dream more, learn more and become more.

' Allison Antes is a Workforce Strategist with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.