I wish I could remember where I read this question recently so I could give attribution. “Are you a consumer or a contributor?” Wherever it was, it has been bouncing around in my head ever since. I hope I know my answer. I do know I am a better human and a far better leader if my level of contribution is higher than my level of consumption.

Ways Leaders Can Contribute More

What are the things and ways I need to contribute to be a more effective leader?

Here is a partial list.

  • Contribute your time. Give your time to others. Offer to help and be a resource. When you give your most precious resource, you send an important message to others. Contributing your time to others will change your relationships and results.
  • Contribute your attention. Ask more, listen more, and talk less. When you do, you are contributing to others in ways you might not even realize.
  • Contribute encouragement. When we honestly encourage others, we give something we all need. And in doing so, you build people’s confidence and, ultimately, their ability to contribute.
  • Contribute inspiration. Leaders share a vision and a glimpse of the destination. Moreso, they inspire others to move toward that place of significance for everyone.
  • Contribute trust. If you want more trust, start by offering more of it. Offering your trust to others is one of the most powerful ways you can contribute.
  • Contribute effort. Give not just your time and attention, but your effort. Be fully present and all in when you help.
  • Contribute feedback. Use your experience and perspective to help others see where they are succeeding and how they can improve. When we give feedback fully from the perspective of helping the other person succeed, we contribute in a very powerful way.

Do you want a leader who does (more of) these things? And to the point, are you more likely to follow the person with higher levels of contribution?

How to Start

Raising your level of contribution requires three things:

  • An understanding of the value of your contribution – to others and yourself. Robert F. Kennedy said, “You’re happiest while you’re making the greatest contribution.”
  • A willingness to become other-focused. When we focus outside of ourselves, we raise our level of contribution. Realize your role is to serve the outcomes you need to reach and those who are making that happen.
  • A decision to contribute. It is one thing to intellectually agree with what you are reading here. It is another to go out and change your focus and actions.

I hope this question burns in your mind like it has in mine: “Are you a consumer or a contributor?” I hope you are inspired and convicted by the question in equal measure. And enough so that you ultimately choose to raise your level of commitment. When you do, we all win.

Thanks in advance for your future contributions.

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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  1. Kevin,

    I continue to enjoy each and every email I get from you. Many seem to hit my in box exactly when they need to!

    I'd love to see something on:

    1.) How do we support and increase the number of women in leadership roles within our organizations.
    2.) How do we get people to focus more on abilities than disabilities
    3.) Mental Health issues in the work place. Knowing when to say something, knowing when to do something.

    Keep them coming…I hope you have a fantastic day!!!!!

    Lisa

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