Most problems are a problem of leadership. Problems get solved because someone who cares takes responsibility for making them better.
Leadership is about responsibility, not authority.
Two-part definition of a leader:
a person who decides to do things (and does them);
a person who encourages people who decide to do things.
Tiny leaders build on other tiny leaders to make tiny powerful fearless societies.
People deeply desire permission — to be themselves, to pursue their hearts, to grow to be their best. Screw permission. Don't ask permission: give it to yourself. Even better: give it to others. Manufacture and distribute it.
Our own defensiveness usually shows as fear, while others' defensiveness usually shows up as anger. Anger is just fear in broadcast mode. Most people have no idea that their anger is just their fear with a megaphone. So much strength is gained when we instead speak our fears out loud.
Encouragement is the only force that can change the world with words in the only way that matters: one person at a time. They say energy cannot be created or destroyed. Encouragement gives physics the finger.
Nothing can ever stop you from making things better than they are right now.
Just like everyone, you ask, 'Do I have what it takes?' The answer is yes. Every other answer is a lie, an excuse or a distraction. The call itself is enough of an answer. What you think you're capable of is completely irrelevant—and you're very likely the worst judge anyway. You prove yourself “capable” by simply doing.
No matter your title, it is your job to make the people around you feel cared about, empowered, encouraged, and humanized.