30 Things Great Leaders Do.
Over the last two decades I have learned there are leadership tests coming that I cannot cram for. All I can do is put myself in position to absorb what I need for the future. In other words, I am soaking up important things right now whether I realize it or not.
And when I get into a tough leadership spot in the future and get squeezed – hopefully it is those leadership principles that will spill out of me.
Marinate on this.
- Treat everyone with respect.
- Adopt a “biggest fan” mindset.
- Promote other people’s ideas whenever you can.
- Admit you don’t know everything.
-
SAY THANK YOU.
- Set lofty goals.
- Ask questions and then listen.
- Don’t crack under pressure.
- Push others into the spotlight.
- Don’t be afraid to confront.
- Seek alignment.
- Write notes and emails of encouragement daily.
- Don’t follow fads.
- Learn from everyone.
- Take responsibility.
-
CELEBRATE.
- Don’t anger easily.
- Embrace pressure.
- Share the credit.
- Accept the blame.
- Leverage culture.
- Ignore the polls.
-
REMEMBER NAMES.
- Assume positive intentions.
- Pass on the perks to others on the team.
- Laugh at yourself.
- Love on others.
- Give authority along with responsibility.
- Don’t be afraid to “make the ask.”
-
NEVER WHISPER.
Thoughts?
12 Comments
Jeff hunt (@Jeffhunt97)
December 4, 2014Leveraging culture and Never Whisper…I’ll be chewing on those for a while.
Jeff hunt (@Jeffhunt97)
December 4, 2014Good stuff though. Love your insight and honesty.
Todd Clark
December 4, 2014Thanks Jeff. It is going to be a great place to engage with interesting people. Thanks for reading and sharing!
Arlin Bedard
December 4, 2014This is a wonderful list of great leadership qualities for leaders and for those not in a leadership role. I aspire to have all of these qualities someday, along with a caring heart that lives for Christ.
Todd Clark
December 4, 2014Arlin – good stuff and thankful for your heart!
Josh Ettesvold
December 5, 2014Inspiring post Todd! I appreciate your teaching and passion you bring to each message. Thank you for inspiring others, including myself to be better.
Todd Clark
December 5, 2014You got it Josh. Thanks for checking out the site. I hope you will read and share. Have a great weekend.
Eric
December 15, 2014I’d add a little something about delegating. #28 comes close, but a leader cannot ultimately be successful if all the details depend on his/her decisions. I’d also place more emphasis on creation of a culture. Culture and team chemistry go a long way to making a work place worth working in.
Overall, very nice list with many good principles.
Eric
I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done. -Henry Ford
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
New Living Translation (NLT)
Todd Clark
December 16, 2014Good stuff Eric – thanks for being a part of Live Curious – and adding good thoughts and content. have a great week!
Carol
December 30, 2014Could you explain the principle about being a biggest fan? I’m not sure what this looks like. Am I to be a biggest fan of myself or Jesus or who?
Kristen Siqueiros
January 23, 2015I love remember names. I will never forget once when someone told me that if you don’t remember the person’s name then they weren’t important to you. I like to think that everyone I meet is important.
Todd Clark
January 25, 2015Agree Kristen. This is so important and means so much when someone remembers your name!