Great Leadership

A great leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

~John Maxwell

Once, I thought I was a really good leader. Then, unexpectedly I found myself having to layoff almost half of my department’s employees. That day, I decided to take control of my leadership skills, because knowing how to lead people keeps me and my staff working. It also keeps my customers happy. So, I tried being a better listener and I worked longer hours – both failed miserably. Then, I started looking for other ideas and discovered that it was not about me doing more, it was about me becoming more.

Great leaders differentiate themselves from others in a few critical ways. Here are some key qualities all great leaders have in common:

They listen and communicate to connect with their people: This is the key to leadership and winning people over to your side. This takes practice but can be learned.

They prioritize people: Great leaders prioritize their people above all else. Here is where I really had to change. Don’t get me wrong, I was a suitable leader, but I discovered that great leaders understand that their team members are their most valuable asset, and they invest in their development, well-being, and growth. It is more about the employees and less about the leader.

They inspire and motivate: Great leaders can inspire and motivate their teams to achieve their goals. Being able to inspire and motivate is not some rare X-factor found in just a few people. This is a skill we can all learn. But first, we have to have a vision and be passionate about it – care about it deeply. Then we work hard to develop the ability to communicate it effectively to our team. Personally, this takes a lot of dedicated effort to do this.

They lead by example: If I learned that listening and communicating is the key, I began to understand leading by example is the foundation for a healthy work environment. Great leaders demonstrate the behaviors and values they expect from their team members. They are transparent, honest, and accountable, and they hold themselves to the same standards they set for others.

Overall, great leaders are focused on building strong relationships, fostering a positive culture, and empowering their team members to achieve their full potential. They want their people to be highly successful. They lead with purpose, passion, and a commitment to excellence, and they inspire others to do the same.

You can be a good leader, or a great one. You get to decide.

Continue to GROW,

Jeff