January 10, 2025 • 9 mins
Ever wondered what truly makes a leader great beyond the usual credentials? Join me as I promise to reveal the remarkable traits that define transformative leadership. Through captivating anecdotes and reflections, I unravel how authenticity, truthfulness, and compassion can powerfully inspire and foster growth in those we lead. Imagine a leadership style where trust and integrity are non-negotiable, while humility keeps us grounded and approachable. We'll explore the importance of nurturing others, setting realistic expectations, and having a visionary outlook that sees beyond the present. Discover how embracing forgiveness and learning from mistakes can create a thriving culture of understanding and progress.
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Here For the Memories
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Here for the memories thought-provoking audio memoir
shorts filled with stories,humor, anecdotes and commentary
on social, cultural, businessand religious issues.
Whatever Lyndon remembers andthinks will entertain, challenge
and inform is a possiblesubject.
(00:20):
The collection of memoriesabout one's life allows for the
development and refinement of asense of self, including who one
is, how one has changed andwhat one might be like in the
future.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Greetings and salutations.
This is Lyndon Wolfe, and youhave happened upon my audio
memoir here for the Mem memories.
I say this often but I'll sayit again it's not a podcast.
It's to share things about whoI am, what I've experienced, my
opinions, my thoughts in generalwith people that know and love
me Again, more people know methan love me, but I want to
(01:00):
leave some kind of memoir behindand people probably wouldn't
read what I write, but maybethey'll listen to it in really
small, concise excerpts.
Glad you joined.
I hope you come back and comeback often.
We're going to talk aboutleadership today.
We're going to talk about thetraits of a great leader.
(01:21):
I was recently asked to speakto a high school class on the
subject of leadership, eventhough my speaking on the
subject is not unusual,including related professional
organizations and even podcasts,asking what credentials I have
in this space is a fair question.
The irony is that I considerhumility to be a key trait of
(01:45):
great leaders, so I'm suggestingthis brief bio is purely
academic protocol.
Well beyond my 40-year-plusmanagerial career, the last 12
of which have been at anexecutive level, I currently
lead a team of 12 domesticallyspread across the United States.
Indirectly, another group islocated across the globe in six
(02:09):
countries other than the US,including Mexico, south Africa,
canada, pakistan, india and thePhilippines.
I call our conference calls theUnited Nations.
Call Staffing World, anindustry professional
organization.
Staffing World, an industryprofessional organization, named
me one of the 100 globalleaders to watch in the $1.5
(02:29):
trillion staffing industry in2022.
My team steward about $100million in revenue and manage
six separate products.
Academically, I have aMicroMasters in Leadership from
the University of Queensland inAustralia, a certificate from
Harvard in Remote Leadership.
(02:50):
In total, I can put 21 lettersbehind my name, but that would
be way too exhausting to type.
So what are my thoughts on myleadership credentials?
Meaningless hogwash.
Let me say that again withemphasis Meaningless hogwash.
You can't capture leadershipwith these kinds of credentials
(03:14):
alone.
I judge my leadership skillsbased upon what I'm doing with
my current team and whether ornot I have the intangibles or
personality traits of a greatleader.
Whether or not I have theintangibles or personality
traits of a great leader.
If I exhibit these traits, Iwill invariably be a worthy
leader.
What do I consider to be thosetraits?
Well, there it goes Authentic.
(03:36):
One of the greatest gifts Godgave you is that you are unique.
Don't camouflage or ignore it.
Embrace it, even flaunt it.
Nobody falls a plastic, fake,disingenuous suit.
(03:56):
Ken and Barbie make great andprofitable, by the way, toys,
but do you buy into that personawhen you choose to
wholeheartedly submit tosomeone's leadership?
I think not.
Admit to someone's leadership,I think not Truthful.
The most loving and helpfulthing you can do, even when it
stings, is to tell the truth.
Trust is the glue that bindsall relationships and truth is
(04:19):
the epoxy.
People only follow those whodemonstrate integrity of word
and way.
If your words can't be trusted,even when it's uncomfortable
and, but you know,simultaneously compassionate,
then there is little to bind usto the kinds of followers that
we need, and that's critical.
We need to be great leaders.
(04:42):
Humble Arrogance is the ultimateturnoff.
Although tech masterminds andpoliticians tend to have massive
egos, leading everyday peoplerequires that we don't have an
inflated view of ourselves.
Well-motivated and loyal typesof followers aren't drawn to a
leader who has his portrait asthe backdrop on his mobile phone
(05:03):
and video conference setup.
Compassionate, truly, genuinelycaring about the circumstances
and condition of others.
Be sensitive without losingyour common sense.
Seek to move people fromvictims to victors, but realize,
like all of fallen humanity.
(05:24):
We, as leaders, are just asprone to trials, tribulations
and poor circumstances as thosewe lead.
Be gracious as you would wantto receive grace, nurturing,
relish, savor and rejoice inpeople growing, developing and
thriving.
Pour into others as yourmentors have poured into you.
(05:46):
No greater joy can be found fora true leader than to see
people grow.
The best leaders I've eversubmitted and committed to never
portrayed themselves as leaders, but someone wanting me and my
team to reach our full potential.
No elevated chest thumping, butan on-my-level and in-my-world
(06:08):
helping-me-get-better attitude.
That kind of posture ReasonableWithout lowering the bar of
excellence and continuousimprovement.
No one wants a leader whodemands the unrealistic.
Stretch people, but don't putthem on a torture rack and
shackle their motivation toreach their potential.
If you expect people to climbMount Everest on their lunch
(06:30):
break and come backreinvigorated for peak
performance, I suggest that youshould be the follower and they
should be the leader.
Visionary, strategically, guidepeople on a hopeful and
achievable path from where theyare to where they can and should
be.
Draw the outline of thejourney's possibilities, but let
(06:53):
them fill in the picture.
Help them see possibilitiesmore than problems, the future
more than the past or present.
Someone who shows me is avisionary leader that the simple
truth that looking ahead towhere you want to go as you walk
is much preferred to lookingdown and losing your way,
(07:14):
forgetting graciously butpractically allowing people to
make mistakes and then patientlywait for them to tell you what
they've done, why they did itand what they learned.
Never punish contrition andrepentance.
God doesn't, and neither shouldwe.
Who wants to follow theleadership of an executioner?
(07:37):
No, we want the freedom to workwithout a foreboding of
condemnation or a censoriousenvironment.
Simply said, who we are moredetermines our leadership gifts
than what we are.
The internal always shapes theexternal.
In leadership, character iswhat creates competency.
(08:00):
Do you want to be a greatleader?
Look within.
Do you have these traits orother traits that you've
identified?
Are you looking for a greatleader?
Look for the intangibles.
Throw away the resume andexplore who they are.
In my opinion, if you find thetraits I've listed, after 60
plus years of leading and beingled, I think you have what
(08:24):
you're looking for.
This is Lyndon Wolfe, and youvisited here for the memories.
So glad you did, and I praythat, as we have talked about
leadership and being led, thatthere is that kind of leader in
your life, or you can look backand see the kind of leadership
that helped shape and mold youinto the person you are and that
(08:47):
you want to become that type ofleader so that others can
benefit from not only you butall those that have poured into
you.
God bless.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Hello friends, If you appreciate the content and what
it takes to create and deliverit, please consider a small
contribution.
Just go to buymeacoffeecomslash here for the memories.
That's buymeacoffeecom slashhere for the memories Much
(09:22):
appreciated.
Here for the memories thought-provoking audio memoir
shorts filled with stories,humor, anecdotes and commentary
on social, cultural, businessand religious issues.
Whatever Lyndon remembers andthinks will entertain, challenge
and inform is a possiblesubject.
(00:20):
The collection of memoriesabout one's life allows for the
development and refinement of asense of self, including who one
is, how one has changed andwhat one might be like in the
future.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Greetings and salutations.
This is Lyndon Wolfe, and youhave happened upon my audio
memoir here for the Mem memories.
I say this often but I'll sayit again it's not a podcast.
It's to share things about whoI am, what I've experienced, my
opinions, my thoughts in generalwith people that know and love
me Again, more people know methan love me, but I want to
(01:00):
leave some kind of memoir behindand people probably wouldn't
read what I write, but maybethey'll listen to it in really
small, concise excerpts.
Glad you joined.
I hope you come back and comeback often.
We're going to talk aboutleadership today.
We're going to talk about thetraits of a great leader.
(01:21):
I was recently asked to speakto a high school class on the
subject of leadership, eventhough my speaking on the
subject is not unusual,including related professional
organizations and even podcasts,asking what credentials I have
in this space is a fair question.
The irony is that I considerhumility to be a key trait of
(01:45):
great leaders, so I'm suggestingthis brief bio is purely
academic protocol.
Well beyond my 40-year-plusmanagerial career, the last 12
of which have been at anexecutive level, I currently
lead a team of 12 domesticallyspread across the United States.
Indirectly, another group islocated across the globe in six
(02:09):
countries other than the US,including Mexico, south Africa,
canada, pakistan, india and thePhilippines.
I call our conference calls theUnited Nations.
Call Staffing World, anindustry professional
organization.
Staffing World, an industryprofessional organization, named
me one of the 100 globalleaders to watch in the $1.5
(02:29):
trillion staffing industry in2022.
My team steward about $100million in revenue and manage
six separate products.
Academically, I have aMicroMasters in Leadership from
the University of Queensland inAustralia, a certificate from
Harvard in Remote Leadership.
(02:50):
In total, I can put 21 lettersbehind my name, but that would
be way too exhausting to type.
So what are my thoughts on myleadership credentials?
Meaningless hogwash.
Let me say that again withemphasis Meaningless hogwash.
You can't capture leadershipwith these kinds of credentials
(03:14):
alone.
I judge my leadership skillsbased upon what I'm doing with
my current team and whether ornot I have the intangibles or
personality traits of a greatleader.
Whether or not I have theintangibles or personality
traits of a great leader.
If I exhibit these traits, Iwill invariably be a worthy
leader.
What do I consider to be thosetraits?
Well, there it goes Authentic.
(03:36):
One of the greatest gifts Godgave you is that you are unique.
Don't camouflage or ignore it.
Embrace it, even flaunt it.
Nobody falls a plastic, fake,disingenuous suit.
(03:56):
Ken and Barbie make great andprofitable, by the way, toys,
but do you buy into that personawhen you choose to
wholeheartedly submit tosomeone's leadership?
I think not.
Admit to someone's leadership,I think not Truthful.
The most loving and helpfulthing you can do, even when it
stings, is to tell the truth.
Trust is the glue that bindsall relationships and truth is
(04:19):
the epoxy.
People only follow those whodemonstrate integrity of word
and way.
If your words can't be trusted,even when it's uncomfortable
and, but you know,simultaneously compassionate,
then there is little to bind usto the kinds of followers that
we need, and that's critical.
We need to be great leaders.
(04:42):
Humble Arrogance is the ultimateturnoff.
Although tech masterminds andpoliticians tend to have massive
egos, leading everyday peoplerequires that we don't have an
inflated view of ourselves.
Well-motivated and loyal typesof followers aren't drawn to a
leader who has his portrait asthe backdrop on his mobile phone
(05:03):
and video conference setup.
Compassionate, truly, genuinelycaring about the circumstances
and condition of others.
Be sensitive without losingyour common sense.
Seek to move people fromvictims to victors, but realize,
like all of fallen humanity.
(05:24):
We, as leaders, are just asprone to trials, tribulations
and poor circumstances as thosewe lead.
Be gracious as you would wantto receive grace, nurturing,
relish, savor and rejoice inpeople growing, developing and
thriving.
Pour into others as yourmentors have poured into you.
(05:46):
No greater joy can be found fora true leader than to see
people grow.
The best leaders I've eversubmitted and committed to never
portrayed themselves as leaders, but someone wanting me and my
team to reach our full potential.
No elevated chest thumping, butan on-my-level and in-my-world
(06:08):
helping-me-get-better attitude.
That kind of posture ReasonableWithout lowering the bar of
excellence and continuousimprovement.
No one wants a leader whodemands the unrealistic.
Stretch people, but don't putthem on a torture rack and
shackle their motivation toreach their potential.
If you expect people to climbMount Everest on their lunch
(06:30):
break and come backreinvigorated for peak
performance, I suggest that youshould be the follower and they
should be the leader.
Visionary, strategically, guidepeople on a hopeful and
achievable path from where theyare to where they can and should
be.
Draw the outline of thejourney's possibilities, but let
(06:53):
them fill in the picture.
Help them see possibilitiesmore than problems, the future
more than the past or present.
Someone who shows me is avisionary leader that the simple
truth that looking ahead towhere you want to go as you walk
is much preferred to lookingdown and losing your way,
(07:14):
forgetting graciously butpractically allowing people to
make mistakes and then patientlywait for them to tell you what
they've done, why they did itand what they learned.
Never punish contrition andrepentance.
God doesn't, and neither shouldwe.
Who wants to follow theleadership of an executioner?
(07:37):
No, we want the freedom to workwithout a foreboding of
condemnation or a censoriousenvironment.
Simply said, who we are moredetermines our leadership gifts
than what we are.
The internal always shapes theexternal.
In leadership, character iswhat creates competency.
(08:00):
Do you want to be a greatleader?
Look within.
Do you have these traits orother traits that you've
identified?
Are you looking for a greatleader?
Look for the intangibles.
Throw away the resume andexplore who they are.
In my opinion, if you find thetraits I've listed, after 60
plus years of leading and beingled, I think you have what
(08:24):
you're looking for.
This is Lyndon Wolfe, and youvisited here for the memories.
So glad you did, and I praythat, as we have talked about
leadership and being led, thatthere is that kind of leader in
your life, or you can look backand see the kind of leadership
that helped shape and mold youinto the person you are and that
(08:47):
you want to become that type ofleader so that others can
benefit from not only you butall those that have poured into
you.
God bless.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Hello friends, If you appreciate the content and what
it takes to create and deliverit, please consider a small
contribution.
Just go to buymeacoffeecomslash here for the memories.
That's buymeacoffeecom slashhere for the memories Much
(09:22):
appreciated.
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