I’m obsessed with great leadership.
But when I was young, I wasted years and opportunities not knowing what great leadership looked like.
Learn from my mistakes.
21 clear signals you have a great leader:
Integrity Is Their North Star
They do what's right, even when no one's watching.
As Bill Campbell, the "Trillion Dollar Coach," once said: "It's not about what you say. It's about what you do."
A great leader walks their talk.
They Measure Output, Not Input
They care about outcomes achieved, not facetime.
They know that results are the currency of business, not promises and hours spent.
And they know that what gets measured, gets improved.
They Wear Humility Like A Badge
They're not afraid to admit when they're wrong or don't know something. They're always eager to learn from others, regardless of their position.
They know that the ego trip is a journey to nowhere.
Emotional intelligence Is Their Sixth Sense
They have an uncanny ability to read people and situations. They navigate complex emotions and interpersonal dynamics with flair.
Empathy and understanding are their tools of choice.
Resilience Runs In Their Blood
They view setbacks as stepping stones, not roadblocks. When knocked down, they dust themselves off and keep pushing forward.
Their tenacity is contagious.
They prove that enthusiasm is common, but endurance is rare.
Adaptability Is Their Competitive Edge
They adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to the pitcher.
They don't just embrace change, they champion it.
As Max McKeown says “All failure is the failure to adapt; all success is successful adaptation.”
Innovation Fuels Them
They foster a culture of creativity and outside-the-box thinking.
They encourage bold ideas and calculated risks.
Status quo? Not in their vocabulary.
They Don't Wear Masks or Play Politics
What you see is what you get:
• Real
• Raw
• Relatable
They create depth. And depth creates authenticity.
They Communicate With Transparency
Delivering the truth courageously is the highest form of respect.
They believe clear information sharing is power.
Empire building requires clarity of thought and word.
Active Listening Is Their Nature
They don't just hear, they listen to understand.
They give their undivided attention and make others feel truly understood and heard.
They know that successful people listen more than they talk.
They Adopt A ‘Relationships First’ Attitude
They invest time and energy into nurturing authentic connections.
They remember birthdays, ask about family, and genuinely care.
Their single greatest "people skill" is a highly developed and authentic interest in the other person.
Their Hearts Beat With Empathy
They put themselves in others' shoes and see the world through their eyes.
They feel what others feel and use that understanding to build deep connections.
Their compassion knows no bounds.
They Develop Other Leaders
A leader’s greatest responsibility is to ensure that others rise as high as they possibly can.
They prepare others to carry the torch and expand the circle of light.
Their mentorship leaves a lasting impact.
Learning Is Their Lifestyle
They have an insatiable appetite for growing their knowledge.
They turn every interaction into a learning experience to expand their mental models.
This compounding knowledge fuels creativity and vision for decades.
They Take Intelligent Risks
They understand that big rewards require big risks.
They’re bold in seizing data-backed opportunities with asymmetric upside.
They know that fortune favors the brave.
They Embrace Feedback
They actively seek input and are open to constructive criticism.
They view feedback as a gift and use it to improve.
Their growth mindset is contagious.
They Focus on Systems
They understand that scale and speed rely on repeatable systems.
Ensuring that when others fail, your processes don’t.
They know that systems run the business and people run the systems.
They Create An Exceptional Culture
They shape an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired.
They lead by example and set the tone from the top.
Their culture is the glue that holds everything together.
They Give Credit Publicly
They're the first to shine the spotlight on others' successes.
No win is too small to celebrate.
They understand that recognition is the ultimate performance enhancer.
Their words of affirmation propel top players to reach for the stars.
They Criticize Privately And Thoughtfully
Feedback is a gift they give with care and kindness. They understand that growth happens best in a safe, supportive space.
They have the hard conversations behind closed doors, not in public.
They Have A Knack For Attracting Talent
A-players flock to them like moths to a flame.
They want to work with them because they create environments for people to thrive. They architect ecosystems and incentives that make heroes.
They don't just attract talent, they create it.
Great leaders are rare, but when you find one, hold on tight.
They'll take you to places you never thought possible.
They'll challenge you, support you, and inspire you to be your best self.
They're not just bosses; they're game-changers.
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