Ripple Effect
 | Author:
Ellie West, Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy
Inside Inspiration: Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy |
Ripple Effect Ellie West, Certified NLP Coach/Practitioner Of Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy l love being near water, throwing rocks, or skipping stones, especially on lakes that appear to look like glass. What happens when we throw rocks into a body of water? Once the rock hits the water, depending on the weight or size, it creates a circle followed by additional circles….creating a ripple effect. What kind of ripple effect are you having with others? This is an excellent metaphor for how our lives can have a positive or negative ripple effect.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “ripple effect” as “a spreading, pervasive, and usually unintentional effect or influence". You don’t necessarily have to have a job title to prove leadership…if you influence people around you, you are a leader, either favorable or unfavorable.
Everything you do and think affects the people in your life, and their reactions affect others. Every word you say, every email, every text, every act of kindness, every smile, and every social media post. It is your actions that affect the things and people around you. Your thoughts, words, and actions create a ripple effect, and that ring grows; it is generally how people observe and remember you. The rings you create around yourself will either build up influence and inspire others or tear people down. You’ve got to be bigger on the inside than on the outside. The inside always influences the outside, may it be negative or positive. The belief that you have in yourself influences the opinion that others have of you. You are in control of your ripple effect.
I became increasingly interested in leadership in 2018 when I stumbled upon an internet ad for leadership. I enrolled in the online 17-week Leadership Course, which opened my eyes to a new leadership level. The course significantly impacted my mindset as an Onboard Flight leader. I began to see things in a different light and gained a greater understanding of authentic leadership. Leadership is to empower and not to control…when you direct people, you enlist them; when you connect people, you empower them.
The basis for authentic leadership is in your growth journey, creating your ripple effect. It is up to you to commit to growing intentionally. You cannot assume that you will grow automatically, as assumptions are a huge disappointment in life. Consistency is a prerequisite to excellence. Consistency reinforces your vision and your values. Excellence sets you apart from everyone else. The only way you can be excellent is to be consistent. Consistent in how you approach your day, consistent in your work ethic, and consistent in your family life.
Keep it simple…consistency compounds. If we want to lead intentional lives, we must value people…when we look at another person as valuable, we can put others first. Leadership is about influence and your willingness to step up to face challenges. No matter what the rest of the world may think, God enjoys using unexpected people as leaders — especially those others might disregard or dismiss. In the book of Esther, God uses Esther, an orphaned Jewish girl, living in a foreign nation who is raised in a position to save her people from genocide. No matter how others might view you, God wants to use you to make a difference in our world…one person at a time. You need to be willing to step up when others depend on you. Your courage becomes their courage. Your obedience becomes their obedience. Your victory becomes their victory.
Create a ripple effect by adding value to people every day. Be intentional with your self-care, so you have more to give to others. Put yourself in someone else’s world…kindness and compassion go a long way. Be a consistent friend, believe the best about others, and love unconditionally. Create great memories and experiences for others. We are called to make a difference in our world, to impact the people and places we find ourselves all along this life journey. Lead your life instead of just living it. Start your ripple with a little bit of good and watch it expand.
I, alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. ~Mother Teresa
To connect with Ellie: FB/IG @coachelliewest https://www.coachinghearttoheart.com
