Can you read a spreadsheet? Good. Leaders must do that. Can you design a strategy? Good. Leaders must do that too. Can you execute a plan? Good. Leader must also do that. But effective leadership also involves softer skills. Can you read a room? Can you sense the emotional temperature of a team? Can you discern which way…
Is Optimism the Worst Way To Lead? Here’s How to Tell
As a leader are you supposed to be an optimist, a pessimist, an idealist, or a realist? The answer is “yes”. The key is knowing when to be which. This is not about being inauthentic. The reality is, in some circumstances a leader must be a grim-faced pessimist, while in others it requires being a…
How To Spot Leadership Character With 10 Easy Signs
To build a team on talent, just look at their resumes. But to build a team on character, listen to their words. Finding leaders for your team who exhibit the highest standards of character is the ballgame when it comes to building a world-class team. The question is, how do you find these people? I…
Confident Or Arrogant? 10 Ways Leaders Must Be Sure
People want to follow confidence, not arrogance. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but it’s a line that effective leaders dare not cross if they want to be a leader worth following. Confidence is achieved when a track record of competence, experience and wisdom all comes together. The result is a compelling sense of boldness…
How To Direct Your Leadership With Bold Declarations
Have you ever made a leadership declaration? When I was in my early 20’s and just embarking on my leadership journey, I made several such “declarations”, as I called them. I was beginning to establish my own approach to leadership and I thought it would be helpful if I were to articulate these approaches in the form of…