I once wrote in a social media post, “We have to be products of our own ingenuity, or we are not geniuses at all.” In other words, we have to walk the talk. Look at yourself first, and demonstrate it outward to other people so that you may lead by example.
The first thing you have to do is have the humility to accept and admit that you are limited. That means you have to love yourself, with all your shortcomings, before you can influence others. You should be able to realize that your weaknesses can only be complemented by the strength of others. Moreover, you have to be able to accept criticism as well. Being a leader to yourself, is all about accepting your imperfection. You don’t have all the answers, but some do.
Secondly, being humble then brings you now to keep learning, and creating a plan to improve yourself. Self-improvement and growth requires you to realize that you have to better for the benefit of others.
Lastly, being a leader to yourself means being able to master your emotions at the same time, being conscious of your spirituality, in turn being effective in controlling your actions. If you do not have a technique to control yourself when faced with temptations, then you cannot tell those who follow you to do so.