The Everyday Leader

It's no secret that many qualities make a great leader, but humility is perhaps one of the most important. Humble leaders possess unique traits and behaviors that help them stand out from the crowd and gain the respect and trust of their followers.  As Andrew Carnegie said, "No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or to get all the credit for doing it." 

While many struggle with a new year’s resolution – they are too hard, too easy, or have no stickiness to them.  What I have found that works in business and personally is selecting one word.  One word that works as your north star to guide your thoughts, decisions, and actions.

As many our starting the new year with resolutions I am starting the new year with a word.  One word that will be my north star and guide my thoughts, decisions, and actions.  While New Year's resolutions tend to be one-dimensional, if done well, one word can impact all the areas of your life.

Leaders inspire others to live their best lives by living the best version of themselves.  Those that look to leaders for how they should feel every other time of the year are depending on us now during the holidays.  When we find a way to manage our stress and anxiety during this busy tine we help others manage theirs.

It’s not enough to be smart enough to get the job done or driven enough to see the project to completion and having the capacity to get it done is important, but all three of these things aren’t good enough if you can’t learn, adapt, and change quickly.  Success loves speed.  Today’s leader needs agility. 

If you want employees, team members, kids, partners that feel appreciated recognize the effort.

 “Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory”. Mahatma Gandhi

Reflection is about questioning, in a positive way, what you do, what you say and why you do or say it and then deciding if there is perhaps a better way.  Why it’s important? Friends, self-reflection is essential for personal growth. Taking the time to create self-awareness will allow you to challenge your thoughts and to uncover breakthroughs. Without it, we have the potential to be reactive to people and situations. 

As a leader, what is weighing you down and keeping your from being your absolute best?  There is an amazing path to success through simplicity.

We talk a lot on this podcast about what great leaders have.  Let’s talk today about what great leaders don’t have.  Great leaders don’t have these 3 things

Cluttered schedules

Cluttered goals

Cluttered relationships

You’ve heard the term control the controllables.  People is a controllable that many leaders do not see as one because they don’t take true ownership of their team.  The great thing is, that as a leader you have the opportunity to surround yourself with the right people.  When you get the right people in the right roles doing the right things that’s when you become unstoppable.

Leaders must create the proper environment for employees to feel their work is fulfilling.  One of my favorite authors, Patrick Lencioni, explains how in The Three Signs of a Miserable Job. 
Here are the 3 signs:

1. Anonymity

2. Irrelevance

3. Immeasurability

Let's add our own #4 Recognition.

There are 4 buckets of numbers you must know from hire to retire.  Listen here to make sure you know yours.

As a leader, you’re responsible for getting work done through others.  What sets the best leaders apart is belief in people.  I’ve said before leadership is the transfer of beliefs.  You don’t need your team to know what you know or be able to do what you do.  You need your team to believe what you believe. 

With the current pandemic and unemployment as high as it is it I know many of you are looking for the next move.  Your next career.  Many days you may be thinking why is my inbox empty? Why didn’t the recruiter call me or select me?
Here are 5 tips on how to land your dream job.  With a bonus #6.