By Kathleen Riessen | Speaker, facilitator and business adviser

There’s no question that if you are reading this article, then you, my friend, are a star. You have what it takes to create exactly what you want. You are a high performer.

Is that enough?

As leaders, our jobs are to transition from being a star to being a star maker.

This takes an entirely new set of skills and an up-level in your leadership.

When we are stars, we call ourselves into our highest possibility.

When we are star makers, we call others into their highest possibility.

While being a star can be fun, being a star maker is soul-filling.

A few weeks ago, I am meeting a client for tea. As I step up to the counter, I realize no one is coming to take my order. I see a young, bubbly girl walk past me. She has her thick coat on, looking like she is heading on a break. We lock eyes, she pauses, backtracks, sets down her things, smiles and takes my order. Many employees would have walked past me and continued on to their break — but not her. In that moment, I get a chance to see her. Her drive for life is infectious. Under the right mentorship, she could create whatever she wants in this world.

At the risk of looking like a creeper, I ask her if she is interested in talking about an employment opportunity, hand her my card and ask her to call me.

As a star maker, it’s our job to see the gifts in those around us and call them forward even if they don’t see those gifts for themselves.

Transitioning from being a star to a star maker was one of the most challenging transitions in my career. It meant I was no longer in the front. At times, I slipped into competition with those I was elevating. At times, I wanted to scream from the rooftops, “Why aren’t you getting this?!?!?”

Becoming a star maker meant constant surrender, vulnerability and authenticity.

And it has been worth it. Just yesterday I received a text from one of my stars that said, “Thank you for helping me help others!”

As a star maker, my greatest gift is seeing others reach their potential.

Do you want to be a star maker? Come light the sky with me!

Kathleen Riessen is a serial entrepreneur, wife, parent to three young boys, two dogs and a betta fish. She enjoys traveling the world and saying, “Yes” when others say, “No.” Kathleen is a Heartcore Leadership graduate ranking top in her class, a Heartcore Mastering Leadership graduate and a Leadership Iowa graduate. She serves as an inspirational speaker and business coach, working with busy leaders to support them in aligning their purpose with their work, family, community and self-care. Connect with her via email.