If you have to announce that you’re a leader, then you most likely are not one. True leadership is communicated through your tone, expressions, body language, integrity, character, and the way you consistently act and respond. How you carry yourself speaks far more convincingly than any declaration you make about being a leader.
But what does being a leader have to do with having a retirement account? Quite a lot, actually.
Every day, you have the opportunity to influence the people around you at work, at home, and in your community. Leadership is not about position. It is about the small, consistent actions that help move others forward. When you live with intention, your choices can create momentum that extends far beyond your own life.
One meaningful life principle you can demonstrate is not simply having a retirement account, but actively contributing to your employer’s plan. And even that is not the whole picture. The real impact comes when your actions help others take their next step toward financial stability. This is not about boasting. It is about passing along a principle that can help others build long term security.
You might find yourself sharing wisdom with a child or grandchild, or offering guidance to a trusted colleague who is a decade older. What matters most is how you share it. When your motivation is to support others and contribute to their success, your influence becomes both natural and meaningful.
Another way to view this is through your role as a leader, whether in your organization or within your family. By participating in your organization’s retirement plan and modeling responsible financial behavior, especially during moments like salary increases, you set a powerful example. Your actions can encourage others to save, increase overall plan participation, improve financial wellness, and strengthen your organization’s culture. Over time, this creates better outcomes for everyone and reinforces the value of long term financial stability.
Leadership in this way builds momentum.
When you take intentional steps, others begin to notice. When you remain consistent, others gain confidence. What starts as a personal decision can grow into something that helps move an entire group forward.
Enrolling in and contributing to your employer’s retirement plan sends a clear message about its importance. You can reinforce this value in simple ways through conversations at work, notes in a company newsletter, discussions in team meetings, or even talks around the dinner table. When you share personal stories about the benefits of saving, you build trust and motivate others to take meaningful steps toward their own financial future.
Not everyone grows up understanding the importance of saving early, increasing contributions over time, or even how to talk about financial success in a healthy way. This is where leadership matters.
Be intentional. Share what you have learned with your team, your family, and your community as opportunities arise. Your example can help others move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
It is leadership through action, and it can make a lasting difference.
Ellen Daniels serves in the position of Director of Engagement for Servant Solutions. She assists the Servant Solutions team by developing and carrying out strategies to increase engagement with current and potential members so that our constituents are served in the very best way. Her position especially focuses on growing our employers and members among colleges/universities and independent churches, along with engaging the top employers within the Church of God with their needs. Ellen received her BA in Education as well as her MBA from Anderson University. Prior to coming to Servant Solutions, Ellen was the Director of Adult Studies at Anderson University. She is very happily married to Dr. Rolland Daniels. They have recently retired from full-time pastoral ministry after 40 years. They have two sons, Tyler and Seth, two wonderful daughters-in-love, Morgan and Catherine, and four absolutely precious grandchildren, Raelyn, Tripp, Annie and Hazel.